Last week’s Melbourne Cup gave members of the Whakatāne Bridge Club a chance to get together for an afternoon of cards, food and fundraising.

Members enjoyed a few games of bridge while celebrating the race with a social gathering and shared lunch.

The club had about 10 tables playing, with the games following by a prizegiving.

Prizes were awarded for the best-dressed man, best-dressed woman and fanciest hat, with Whakatāne deputy mayor and Rositas fashion store owner Julie Jukes judging the best-dressed.

The fanciest hat prize went to Christine Wood while Mike Chelley was named best-dressed man, and Trina Attwood took out the best-dressed woman award.

The winners of the bridge were Jane and Stephen Searle sitting North/South with a score of 69.7, and Jenny Morris and Sue Gordon sitting East/West recording a score of 64.4 points.

The event raised $800 for the SPCA, which manager Warren Timpson said would go towards helping the animals in their care.

Synergy Accountants sponsored this year’s event, with director Paul Nicolson attending to support the club and speak about the business.