Festive success for Julia’s House

This week marked a very special moment in our festive calendar. Amidst the Christmas decorations at Martin’s Bar & Restaurant, we were delighted to welcome representatives from Julia’s House Children’s Hospice to join us for a celebratory presentation. It was a privilege to officially hand over the final donation cheque following the incredible success of our recent Highlands End Christmas Maker’s Market.

The event was a standout success, bringing together over 40 of the area’s best independent makers. The variety on offer was simply amazing, ranging from hand-thrown ceramics and intricate silver jewellery to botanical soaps, original prints and mouth-watering artisan treats. The quality of craftsmanship on display was exceptional, serving as a real reminder of the incredible wealth of creativity we are lucky to have right here on our doorstep in Dorset.

Between browsing the stalls, visitors took a well-earned break to enjoy our famous hot roast pork baps – complete with apple sauce and stuffing – washed down with mulled wine and seasonal drinks from the bar. It was heartwarming to see so many people choosing to shop small and support our local, small businesses.

Most importantly, the day was a powerful show of local support for a vital cause. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have raised a grand total of £3,610 for Julia’s House.

This fantastic sum is a result of a collective effort: combining the market’s stallholder and entry fees with the proceeds from our recent Holiday Home Owners’ pumpkin sale and charity raffle. Additionally, we continue our long-standing initiative of sending digital Christmas cards to our owners rather than physical ones. This sustainable choice allows us to divert the funds that would historically have been spent on printing and postage directly into our charity donation every year.

Why we support Julia’s House

The money raised will go directly towards supporting over 100 families across Dorset. Julia’s House is a lifeline for these local families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Unlike a typical hospice, they provide frequent, flexible care wherever it is needed – in families’ own homes, out in the community, or at their hospices.

Your donations are helping at a pivotal time, as the charity is currently working to extend the end-of-life suite at their hospice. This vital project will create rooms specifically for parents and siblings, ensuring that families can stay together during the heartbreaking end-of-life stage.

Crucially, 92% of the money needed to run their service comes directly from public fundraising and the generosity of the local community. That is why we are so passionate about supporting them year after year; without events like this and your support, they simply wouldn’t be able to provide this essential care.

We are proud to continue our partnership with such an incredible charity. Thank you to everyone who attended, shopped local, and contributed to this fantastic result.

Find out more

Save the Date for 2026

We are already planning next year’s event! Please mark your calendars for Saturday 14th November 2026 – we can’t wait to welcome you back.