A CHILDREN’S party has been held in Swanage, to raise funds for Samantha Henderson’s four children.

The 25-year-old’s body was pulled from a lake near Ham Common, Hamworthy, Poole – eight days after she went missing from her Corfe Castle home in January. The fundraiser, organised by Karina Tapliss, of Langton Matravers, took place on Friday afternoon.

Karina told the Daily Echo: “I never actually knew Samantha, but as I am a mother-of-six the whole thing really pulled on my heartstrings. Corfe Castle is just up the road, you simply do not hear of things like that happening around here.

“It was shocking. I know the people working to set up a trust fund for Samantha’s four children and all the money from this fundraiser will go towards that. I just felt I had to do something.”

The children’s party, at 5pm on Friday at Swanage Football Club, Days Park, Swanage was open to all, with entry by donation. It included a children’s disco, games, karaoke, a bouncy castle, photographer, numerous stalls, refreshments, face-painting and a raffle with donated prizes.

More than £6,000 has been donated so far for Samantha’s children via an online fund set up by members of the Corfe Castle community just over two weeks ago. Friends of the mum-of-four have also set up SAM – Stand And Matter – to raise funds and create a trust fund for the children.

Samantha’s boyfriend, Dominic Isom, of Corfe Castle, has been charged with her murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial in July.