FUNDRAISING was a piece of cake at a vintage tea party which took place at the Moose International Hall, in Eascott Road on Sunday.

Visitors donned retro outfits for the nostalgic event in aid of Empower, which supports disadvantaged communities in Gambia, helping to provide education and training.

It raised £423 and, as well as selling cakes, it offered a range of activities, including a dance workshop and stalls.

There was also a fashion show and visitors enjoyed a pamper session with a selection of treatments available.

Jo Heaven, a trustee of the charity, said: “What a lovely afternoon the Empower Vintage Tea, Dance and Market was.

“We made £418.70 which increased slightly by selling the leftover cakes to my neighbours.

“This will pay the vast majority of the shipment costs of the resources we have sent out to our projects in the Gambia.”

“It was really good fun, there were lots of ladies in vintage clothing and we even had a man who gave it a go. Everybody who came along really enjoyed themselves.”

Jo, who works as the student experience manager at Swindon College, said she wanted to thank all those people who attended the event and supported the cause, as well as Asda and Sainsbury’s, which made donations.

Empower regularly fundraises to improve the living conditions in poor parts of Gambia and provides support for nurseries and medical facilities.

It has also championed the Lights For Learning project which enables youngsters to continue their education into the evenings.

Volunteers from the charity regularly go out to Gambia to see how the funds they have raised have changed people’s lives.

The money from the event will be used to pay to deliver supplies to Daru Community Library.

Empower will continue to hold fundraisers to support its good causes and at the start of August it will be opening a new charity shop, Vintage To The Core, in Devizes Road above The Core.

Jo said: “This is a really exciting venture and it is something we are hugely looking forward to and would welcome donations from the public.”