HUMANITARIAN aid at home and in Syria was boosted by the Rogate and Terwick Christmas Market.

The annual festive fair and market in Rogate village hall was packed with people keen to pick up a Christmas present, some festive food treats, or just to meet Santa.

Joint organiser Philippa Hill said: “We were very successful, raising about £3,400 to be shared out between the Stonepillow charity for the homeless, the Barnabas Fund, and our fund for emergencies at home and abroad.”

The Barnabas Fund is a Christian organisation providing aid to the Middle East, and one of the few ways to send money to Syria.

The Stonepillow charity offers shelter and support to homeless people, and St Bartholomew’s parish emergency fund is used for financial support for emergencies at home and abroad.

The market attracted scores of Christmas shoppers from the village, Petersfield and further afield.

Among the enticing stalls, were those selling attractive presents, crafts, toys, good quality bric-a-brac, homemade cakes, preserves and jams and Advent calendars.

Father Christmas was a big attraction for the younger market goers, and the grand raffle, with lots of prizes donated locally, was a success.

Another popular draw was the present stall, stacked with anything new beginning with a ‘P’ including perfume and plants.

There was also a bottle tombola stall and a raffle.

Nearly new toys were also on sale. They were donated by pupils from the village school and the congregation of Rogate church, St Bartholomew’s.