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Christmas puds and raffle boost fundraising at Bideford car dealership

Mary Blight and Blights Motors service advisor present the fundraising cheque to CHSW

Blights Motors in Bideford has raised £615 for Children’s Hospice South West.

The family-run MG dealership in Clovelly Road held a Christmas raffle in the showroom, and also collected donations to the charity from customers, staff and family members.

Around 1,000 raffle tickets were sold and Mary Blight, who ran the garage for many years with husband Fred, also made her own Christmas puddings and sold them to help boost the garage’s fundraising efforts.

“I’ve been making my own Christmas puddings for more than 60 years and they always seem very popular,” said Mary, who this week visited CHSW’s Little Bridge House hospice in Fremington to present the fundraising cheque with service advisor Hannah Esau.

“I always ask for donations in return for the puddings and one generous gentleman gave £100.

“My husband and I also made a donation to Children’s Hospice South West this year rather than sending Christmas cards,” added Mary, whose father-in-law was the late Blight’s Motors founder Jack.

As a Bideford business, we’re delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile local charity.

CHSW community fundraiser Josh Allan said: “It’s great to have the support of Mary and the team at Blights Motors. CHSW offers vital support and respite to families with children with life-limiting conditions; without people raising money for us like this, we just wouldn’t be able to offer that care.”