A charity Christmas bazaar in Gerrards Cross has raised a record £15,000 for two charities.

More than 1000 people attended the Chilterns American Women’s Club’s 28th annual Christmas bazaar at the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross on November 8 and helped to raise £15,000, including Countess Howe and Lord Howe, along with Beaconsfield mayor John Read, South Bucks council chairman Duncan Smith and district councillor Mimi Harker OBE.

The money will be equally divided between the Chalfont St. Peter-based Epilepsy Society and The Pepper Foundation, which is based in Tring, but focuses on helping terminally ill children and their families receive specialist paediatric palliative care at home in both Bucks and Herts.

The festive market, which was sponsored by the likes of Stoke Park, Patisserie Valerie, Starbucks and Buckinghamshire Golf Club, featured more than 70 gift and craft stalls including one selling the CAWC’s traditional Christmas hamper and gift baskets.

Visa Europe also provided a signed Usain Bolt jersey as well as other grand prizes including a shopping trip to Bicester Village.

Two classic cars and a WWII military Jeep were also on show to commemorate Remembrance Sunday and a two-minute silence was observed by visitors.

In its history, the CAWC bazaar has raised more than £244,000 for charities in the area.

Pam Houghton, Chair of the CAWC, said: “The CAWC is delighted to have raised such an amount for two very worthwhile charities.

“Our annual bazaar – now in its 28th year, is a real opportunity to shop and, in doing so, benefit charitable causes. We have already started planning for next year.”