OUR Give Us A Chance appeal for Devizes Opportunity Centre is £6,500 better off thanks to a family fun day.

Organiser Rachael Pickford has spent the past week working out exactly how much profit the event in Worton made for the centre, which her son Izzy, three, attends.

She originally thought it might be £2,000 after bills were paid but was astonished to find the total is £6,533.69. Another £456.24 came from a head shave on the day by mum Anita Gidley whose son Reece, nine, was helped by the centre when he was a toddler.

The fun day money includes a £1,000 donation from a person who wants to remain anonymous. Mrs Pickford, who was helped by her parents Paul and Hilary Hams, said: “Someone I know came up to me on the day with a cheque and said they wanted to make a donation. When I looked at the amount I couldn’t believe it.

Centre manager Betty Newman said: “It is incredible news. Awesome is probably the best way to describe how successful the day was on all accounts.

“This was a truly great effort not only for the Pickfords and Hams family and each and every volunteer helper and contributor who helped with the organisation and running of the day but also for everyone who came along and enjoyed the day’s events.

“It was a real community effort which will bring countless benefits to our very deserving families.”

Miss Gidley, 40, of Massey Road, added her congratulations and said: “That is fantastic.”

The centre’s coffers have also been swelled by a family day at The Cavalier Pub, Devizes, held on Saturday. It raised £1,265 which will be split between the opportunity centre and Contact A Family.