By Philip Welch

The latest Wells SOUP attracted the largest audience so far in this grant-giving lunch's ten-year history.

Bishop's Palace Pastor Rosey Lunn opened the afternoon in Wells Cathedral with a warm tribute to Ross Young, the lead organiser of SOUP, who sadly died in early March. Everyone there responded with a round of applause for him.

First on stage was Aaron Oats of Keward House, a supported housing service for people living with mental health issues, who told how the money they won at the previous SOUP was being used to fund their regular Brunch Club. Also how their raised profile had brought a major anonymous donation and support from a local bakery.

Next was the first of the afternoon's four presenters was Gavin Osborn of SWEDA which supports people aged from four to 80 with eating disorders and finds an increasing number of young people are coming to them for help.

Then Mary Ellis took to the microphone calling for volunteers to save August Bank Holiday's Wells Moat Race – where Bishop Michael has been seen paddling a raft in a long blonde wig – as organisers on the committee and helpers on the day. Wells Lions had organised it for years but they were now too few.

Third was Sandra Marshall from the campaign to reopen the Britannia Inn as a community pub and social centre for West Wells which has lost its village shop. They have raised £100,000 but need much more. She read from a poem to support her case.

The final presenter was Kim Robinson from Fresh & Good who explained that they a group of cooks who help other community groups raise money. They made pizzas for Oxfam, for example, but don't take work away from paid cooks.

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Most of the audience's votes went to SWEDA, whose Gavin Osborn said: "The money we were given today will go on our children and young people service. More often than not, they open up a lot more when they're holding something, playing with something or drawing. 

"We're so grateful to SOUP because we can use all that money to really help as many young people as possible."

SWEDA received half the £750 available with the rest split equally between the other three good causes that presented to the 125-strong audience.