Fields of Sidmouth left members of the Sid Valley Memory Café ‘lost for words’ after raising more than £2,100 for the charity.

Sidmouth Herald: Rachel Johnstone and Angela Thompson from the Memory Cafe receive a cheque from staff at Fields for £2,151.24 at their FAFTAS awards on Tuesday morning. Ref shs 2847-04-16SH. Photo Simon HornRachel Johnstone and Angela Thompson from the Memory Cafe receive a cheque from staff at Fields for £2,151.24 at their FAFTAS awards on Tuesday morning. Ref shs 2847-04-16SH. Photo Simon Horn (Image: Archant)

Staff held a number of in-house events last year, including raffles and cake sales.

The independent store revealed the total during its annual, breakfast-time ‘Faftas’ ceremony on Tuesday.

The awards celebrate the store’s achievements over the past 12 months, before it selects a new charity of the year.

Rachel Johnstone, chairman of the memory café, thanked Fields for its generous donation and for raising the profile of the charity.

She said: “I am lost for words - it is an incredible amount to raise for a small charity like us.

“It is also the profile that you have raised for us. There was a stigma about talking about dementia, but we are getting people talking about it and that is invaluable.

“From the bottom of my heart and the bottom of all our members’ hearts, thank-you so much.”

The charity’s Admiral Nurse Campaign also received a boost from Fields’ Claire Jenkins, who helped to organise a James Bond VIP night at the Radway Cinema in October.

Following the cheque presentation, the staff voted for their latest charity of the year.

Jane Bishop shared her delight that the store would support Stroke Association East Devon, after her sister, Elizabeth Hutchinson, suffered a stroke at the age of 54. Jane said: “She’s fighting so hard. I’m so pleased that everybody is supporting the Stroke Association.”

Fields will be unveiling a new cosmetics counter next month as part of plans from its new owners, Goulds of Dorchester.

Rebecca Murphy, a Goulds director, joined staff for the celebrations.

She said: “We are in awe of your history and tradition. When we are talking about making changes and developments, we will try to be as sympathetic to the tradition and history of the business and the building.”

She announced that there were plans to update the tills later in the year.

The celebrations concluded with Robin Dair, Ali Young, Brian Dowie and Andy Goring, of the menswear department, winning the title of ‘2015 team of the year’.