TWO friends staged their first gin and Prosecco festival in Christ Church to raise money for two different charities.

Kathy Doyle, 56 and Jo Ridley, 54, who have known each other for over two decades decided to join forces, so they could support disability charity Livability and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

The two women will be running this year’s London Marathon for the charities.

Jo explained: “We wanted to think of something that was a bit different to other people. Rather than asking people for money we wanted to give something back and make it more interesting, so people feel happier about giving us fundraising.

“We found somebody who had done other marathons and had done something very similar.

“And then we started fishing around in Swindon for a very lovely venue and I came here for a vegan festival, it was lovely. It’s absolutely amazing. There is a lovely team here at the church and the community centre.”

The event featured five different distilleries including Swindon-based company Tickle Drinks.

Co-founder of Tickle Drinks Adam Woodley told the Adver: “We got really good feedback. People are excited to have local products as well. I’m really proud. This festival is bit different and has been fantastic.”

Visitors were pleased to discover new flavours.

Debbie Quinn, 60, from Stratton said: “It’s very weird to drink in a church. We are here to support the charities and it’s nice and lovely. I love gin. It’s not a drink you’re getting drunk on, it’s just relaxing and trying different gins is lovely.”

Fiona Lowe, 43, said: “I have tried a few gins, I’ve never been to a gin festival before. I don’t know what I was expecting but my friends have been and done before so they sort of guided me around. It’s really good.”