A HUGELY successful charity event organised by Opening More Doors (OMD) raised over £2200.

The Japanese themed evening on Saturday 21 March collected funds for Strathcarron Hospice and Alzheimer’s Scotland and also aimed to raise awareness of the project to restore The Japanese Garden at Cowden Castle.

Guests were treated to a drinks reception in the Maguire Building in Dollar Academy, along with an exhibition of the history of the gardens.

Owner Sara Stewart showed slides, spoke about her great-great aunt who had the gardens laid out in the early 1900s.

There was a buffet featuring Japanese food, dancing by Yoshie Campbell and vocals by Honor Shelley and Alan Musgrave.

The Japanese Consul General Mr Kitaoka attended with his wife and was given a gift – a print of the gardens.