AN ANNUAL charity boules tournament has raised over £2,500 for charity.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance are celebrating following a donation of £2,600 raised at Summerfield’s annual charity event, in which 40 teams from businesses across Somerset competed.

The event, now in its fifth year, was held at Woodlands Castle, Taunton and teams from a variety of businesses took the opportunity to dress up.

Teams of Mexicans, mime artists and Hawaiians joined Summerfield on a chilly September afternoon to showcase their fancy dress and boules skills while networking and raising money for the charity.

Setsquare Recruitment attended the tournament for the first time with two teams who both managed to reach the final.

However, the seniors were beaten by the younger generation 0-7 and Setsquare One took the coveted prize.

Ben Trickey, Summerfield’s divisional director and organiser of the event, said he was delighted by the success of the event.

He said: “The boules tournament has yet again raised a great amount for charity, thanks to all the businesses who took part.

“This year was highly competitive with two teams from the same business in the final which really added some extra competition to the day.

“We are delighted the event went so well and are already planning next year’s big tournament – we’ll have to start training for a win.”

Debbie Birtwisle, fundraising co-ordinator for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, attended the day.

She said: “Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance relies on donations like this to keep flying.

“Our operational costs are over £2 million a year and the approximate cost per mission equates to £2,500.

“We are so grateful to Summerfield for choosing us as their charity for this year’s event which help fund one of those life-saving missions.”

The fancy dress prize went to Ashfords B team, with their French mime artiste costumes.

Special mentions also went to the Mexicans from Davies Holdings’ ‘Davies Sports’, the Unstoppa-boules onion ladies from Porter Dodson and the Hawaiian-inspired Rule Brettania team from Peter Brett Associates.

The Plate was won by Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Wooden Spoon went to Foot Anstey.

n If you would like to register your interest in next year’s event, please email Gill Ellis at Summerfield on gellis@summerfield.co.uk.