MUCH-needed cash for humanitarian aid in war-torn Syria was boosted by the Rogate and Terwick Christmas Market.

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

Joint organiser Philippa Hill said: “We had a very successful Christmas Market raising approximately £3,400 to be shared out between the causes we supported – Stone Pillow for the homeless, the Barnabas Fund, and our parish emergency fund for emergencies at home and abroad.”

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

And it was one of the three causes being supported at the big festive event, which attracted scores of Christmas shoppers from the village and Petersfield.

For the market, the hall was filled with enticing stalls selling attractive presents, crafts, toys and good quality bric-a-brac, homemade cakes, jams and preserves and advent calendars.

There was also a bottle tombola stall, stacked with bottles of all kinds, and a raffle with many exciting prizes.

Father Christmas was a big attraction fopr the younger market goers, and refreshments were available and the grand raffle, with loads of prizes from local businesses and people, proved a huge success.

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

Nearly new toys in good condition were also on sale; they had been collcted from the village school and donated by the congregation of Rogate church, St Bartholomew’s.

The Stone Pillow charity, offers shelter and support to empower homeless people in the area, and the St Bartholomew’s parish emergency fund, is used to send financial assistance immediately to disaster areas at home and abroad.