SUNSHINE, great music and all for a good cause – a fun-filled festival fundraiser has been hailed a rip-roaring success.

In the beautiful setting of the Bride Valley, a host of talented local musicians took the stage for Gimme Shelter at Bredy Farm, Burton Bradstock, to raise vital funds for homelessness charities – raising an impressive £2,601.

It was the first time festival organisers Martin Saint and Paul Sharod teamed up with Bredy Farm’s Charlie Harris and Abi Charlesworth, bringing the event to west Dorset at the weekend, and they’re so pleased with its success they’ve called for it to return next year.

Mr Saint said: “It was amazing – we got to what we hoped for by 5pm so everyone who came after them was a bonus. I am ecstatic.

“Abi and Charlie were amazing and made it so easy for us to come in and do it. We smashed our record for any other Gimme Shelter event – we smashed it out the park. We are so thankful, and Charlie has said he is happy to have us again – so bring on next year.”

Gimme Shelter’s popular live music events have previously been held in Weymouth and all raise money for homelessness in Dorset.

The inaugural Bredy Farm event offered a one-night festival with overnight camping and boasted a top line-up which included Moriaty, The Surfin’ Birds, The Skalatans, Jawbone and Toxic Fish.

Guests were treated to a fully-stocked bar and an all-day BBQ from The Parlour, the farm’s Mediterranean-influenced cafe-restaurant.

“It is made by everyone,” said Mr Saint. “The volunteers and bands giving their time; they were all amazing and spectacular. I am ecstatic by how well it went and overwhelmed by how much time and effort people put in.

“I am a support worker for homeless people, which is how this got started and it is getting bigger and bigger – I couldn’t be happier.”

Abi said: “It was an honour to be able to host such Gimme Shelter Festival alongside Martin and Paul. We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the amount of money that we raised - we truly hope it will help those in need.”