THE opportunity to buy Christmas gifts while showing support for severely disabled children and young people who study at Treloar School and College in Holybourne brought students, staff, parents and supporters out in force for the annual Christmas fayre.

Visitors queued before the 1pm start to ensure they got the pick of the bargains from the Friends of Treloar’s beauty products stall and to snap up poinsettias from the fundraising team’s plant stall.

There were more than 30 stalls at the December 4 fayre, including several run by classes and enterprising students.

College student Eoin, whose first solo photography exhibition is on display in the Jowett Centre at Treloar’s until today (Friday), sold his prints and greeting cards, which proved popular, as did handicrafts and sweets on sale from other class-run stalls.

Children visiting the fayre made a beeline for the ‘fun photo booth’, eager to have their photo taken with Santa. The hamper raffle, which offered the chance to win one of the 15-themed hampers put together and donated by classes and departments at Treloar’s, was also a big hit.

The festive fayre raised more than £1,800 for the Treloar Trust and this money will cover the up-keep of the school’s buddy dog, Nimmo, for at least 18 months.

Fran Light, Jowett Centre and events manager at Treloar’s, said: “We are obviously delighted that we have raised nearly £2,000 for the Treloar Trust, but we are equally delighted that everyone had such a good time.

“Our students put a lot of time and thought into making crafts and sweets to sell on the day, so I would like to say a big thank you to them, our other stall holders, and all the volunteers and visitors who made the fayre such a great success.”