Mad Hatter's Tea Party raises funds for Whanganui's Koha Shed food bank

Alice in Wonderland (Bellah-Maye Edgecombe-Davis) and organiser Susan Edgecombe with some of the tea party treats.

Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter made an appearance at the Duncan Pavilion as the community gathered in support of The Koha Shed.

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Saturdaywas to raise funds to restock The Koha Shed's food bank, organiser Susan Edgecombe said.

"It went really well - we had 50 seats and we filled 50 seats," Edgecombe said.

"Our mystery guest was deputy mayor Jenny Duncan and she was the judge for the outstanding hat competition. We had all ages there, from children to adults. Everyone who came enjoyed it."

Edgecombe said the amount raised had not yet been confirmed "but we've done all right out of it".

"We're very lucky because we were donated the use of the Duncan Pavilion by Progress Castlecliff and we're very thankful for that," she said.

"We're a non-profit organisation and totally run by volunteers. We don't receive funding from anyone.

"I want to thank the volunteers who helped run the function. They volunteer five days a week at The Koha Shed and some of them are on call as well. They are all so dedicated and their families help out as well. I couldn't have done it without the rest of the team being so reliable."

Cheers: Josephine Coull (left) and Frances Brown raise a cup to The Koha Shed.

Edgecombe also thanked Central City Pharmacy, Flooring Xtra and Domino's Corporate for their donations to the raffle.

"Several members of the public who couldn't be there also donated items for raffles so we were able to have four hat prizes, four raffles and some spot prizes."

It was hoped to make the tea party an annual event to raise funds for The Koha Shed.