Two nights of opera concerts at Barton Manor raised over £60,000 for Polly’s Fund, giving Island children fully funded places to try out water activities at UKSA.

The concerts, which saw the return of renowned director of the Puccini Festival, Andrea Colombini and his performers, were enjoyed by a picnicking audience in the sunshine.

Colombini previously hosted an event for Polly’s Fund in Cowes in 2022.

Polly’s Fund allows children from the Isle of Wight to participate in a fully funded five-day sailing or multi-activity watersports programme.

Each child is asked to raise a minimum of £20, which returns to the fund. The fund was set up by the family of Polly Birch, who died of cancer in August 2017.

Richard and Felicity Dick, Polly's parents, said: “We are thrilled with the success of Polly’s concerts and deeply moved by the generosity and commitment of all who helped to put these wonderful concerts on - particularly Andrea Colombini and Polly’s cousin, Philip Turner.

"The weather was kind, the music sensational and the joy created palpable.

“All this will go a long way in supporting Isle of Wight children to take part in Polly’s Challenge.”