Month: June 2026

We are still celebrating the incredible success of this year’s Dorset Blind Association Motor Show, which raised more than £42,000 to support blind and partially sighted people across Dorset.

The event continues to grow year after year, attracting thousands of visitors, hundreds of exhibitors and some of the region’s most impressive vehicles. However, none of this would be possible without the generous support of local businesses, organisations and individuals who help make the day such a success.

 

 

One of the highlights of the event was our charity raffle, which featured an outstanding selection of prizes donated by businesses from across Dorset and beyond. The raffle not only created plenty of excitement on the day but also made a valuable contribution to the event’s overall fundraising total.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to every business and organisation that donated a prize. Your generosity directly helps Dorset Blind Association continue providing vital services, activities and support for blind and partially sighted people throughout the county.

 

 

 

 

This year’s raffle prize donors included prizes from over 40 local businesses and organizations:

• Ludere Photography Studio – https://www.ludere.studio
• Lyfe Health – https://www.lyfehealth.co.uk
• Compton Acres – https://www.comptonacres.co.uk
• Brownsea Island – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island
• Rick Stein Sandbanks – https://rickstein.com/restaurants/rick-stein-sandbanks
• Vue Cinemas Poole – https://www.myvue.com
• Total Therapy – https://www.totaltherapy.co.uk
• The Libertine – https://www.thelibertine.co.uk
• Vanilla Hair & Beauty – https://www.facebook.com/p/Vanilla-Hair-and-Beauty-100068326160067/
• Poole Harbour Watersports – https://www.pooleharbour.co.uk/
• SU Studio Canford Cliffs – https://www.sustudio.co.uk/
• Castle Inn, Lulworth – https://butcombe.com/the-castle-inn-dorset/
• Tesco Canford Cliffs – https://www.tesco.com
• Watersports Academy Sandbanks – https://thewatersportsacademy.com/
• Studland Watersports – https://www.studlandwatersports.co.uk
• Parkstone Chiropractic – https://www.parkstonechiropractic.co.uk
• Stewarts Garden Centre – https://www.stewarts.co.uk
• Marsham Court Hotel – https://www.marshamcourthotel.co.uk
• SportPursuit – https://www.sportpursuit.com
• Palmers Brewery – https://www.palmersbrewery.com
• Land & Wave – https://www.landandwave.co.uk
• Wetsuit Centre – https://www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk
• The Crown Hotel, Blandford – https://www.crownhotelblandford.co.uk
• Saltrock – https://www.saltrock.com
• HK Law – https://www.hklaw.uk
• 7 Stars (Wimborne) – https://sevenstars.co.uk/
• Purbeck Guitar Festival – https://purbeckguitarfestival.co.uk/
• Box of Handmade Pies – https://www.boxofpies.co.uk
• Phil Wood & Friends Comedy – https://www.philwoodcomedy.com
• Little Gizmos – https://www.littlegizmosentertainment.com/
• Haven Rockley Park – https://www.haven.com/parks/dorset/rockley-park
• The Pear at Parley – https://www.thepearatparley.com
• County Foods – https://www.countyfoods.co.uk
• Leo O’Connell Services – https://www.facebook.com/Leooconnellservices/
• The Blue Pool – https://www.bluepooltearooms.co.uk
• Dorset Golf & Country Club – https://www.dorsetgolfresort.com
• Moonfleet Manor – https://www.moonfleetmanorhotel.co.uk
• Langham Wine Estate – https://www.langhamwine.co.uk
• Johnsons Cleaners – https://www.johnsoncleaners.com
• Dorset Catering Services – https://www.dorsetcateringservices.co.uk
• Sculpture by the Lakes – https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk
• Milton Abbey School – https://www.miltonabbey.co.uk

Every donation, whether large or small, helped create an exciting raffle that visitors were eager to support throughout the day.

We encourage our supporters to show their appreciation by supporting these businesses whenever possible. Whether that’s visiting an attraction, booking a service, enjoying a meal out or recommending them to friends and family, your support helps recognise the generosity they have shown to our charity.

Thank you once again to all of our prize donors, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who purchased raffle tickets. Together, you helped make the 2026 Dorset Blind Association Motor Show our most successful event yet.

Dorset Blind Association is delighted to announce that its 10th annual Motor Show, held on Sunday 17th May 2026 at Lulworth Castle, has raised over £42,000 in support of people living with sight loss across Dorset.

The milestone anniversary event welcomed around 8,000 visitors and featured more than 300 vehicles, ranging from classic and vintage models through to modern performance and supercars. Despite a changeable weather forecast in the lead-up, the public turned out in force to support what has become one of the charity’s key fundraising events of the year.

Now in its tenth year, the Motor Show has grown significantly in scale and reputation, bringing together the local community, motoring enthusiasts, businesses, volunteers and supporters for a full day of entertainment, displays, food, and family activities in the grounds of Lulworth Castle.

Funds raised from the event will go directly towards supporting Dorset Blind Association’s work across the county. Established in 1918, the charity provides practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, helping individuals to maintain independence, reduce isolation, and access essential services.

A wide range of organisations contributed to the success of this year’s event, including headline sponsors Blue Sky Financial Planning and Daizun Investments, alongside supporting partners, exhibitors, traders, volunteers and performers.

Dorset Blind Association also extends its sincere thanks to James Weld and the team at Lulworth Castle for their continued support in hosting the event and helping to ensure its ongoing success.

Speaking about the event, Sam Baker, Community Relations Officer at Dorset Blind Association, said:

“To reach our 10th Motor Show and raise over £42,000 is something we are incredibly proud of. The support from the public, sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers was exceptional, and it’s that collective effort that makes this event what it is.

The funds raised will make a real difference to people living with sight loss across Dorset, helping us continue to deliver vital services and support. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who played a part in making it happen.”

Dorset Blind Association is already looking ahead to future events and continuing to build on the success of this milestone year.