Ghost hunters shaken at freaky fund-raiser

However, a simple giggle with friends, during a sponsored ghost hunt in a Littlehampton pub, turned into something more sinister, as. it’s claimed, spirits from the other world, haunted the evening.

The brave band of 20 ghost-hunters, who were raising money for St Barnabas House hospice, in Worthing, were subjected to a once-in-a-lifetime paranormal experience at The Dolphin Inn, in High Street, that left some hysterical and running for the exit.

Arranged by Littlehampton mum-of-two Mia Dorricott, the evening offered opportunities of “communicating with the spirits”, and raised more than £500 for the hospice in the process.

Mia, 27, said: “The night was brilliant. I think for some people, it was one of the scariest nights of their lives.”

Led by paranormal experts from the Littlehampton Investigative Ghost Hunting Team (LIGHT), the group took part in a spooky, Victorian séance before braving 10 minutes alone, in a pitch-black cellar renowned for ghoulish goings-on.

As the Dolphin’s landlady and one of the founding members of LIGHT, Ellie Boiling, 44, explained, one person was left stunned by their close encounter with a mysterious phenomenon during the night.

“We had a night-vision camera set up to watch people in the cellar.

“We were in disbelief at some of the things we saw during the night. It physically took our breath away.

“On one of the night-vision cameras, we could clearly see things – white, hazy outlines – moving behind the person in the cellar.

“Then the screen began to fuzz, blur and go out of focus. My walkie-talkie set wasn’t working at all, so I couldn’t contact her and my phone decided to die at the same time.

“Even now it sends a shiver down my spine.”

Ellie added: “We couldn’t understand what was going on. The cameras had worked perfectly when we tested them a few days before.”

Mia is putting all the money donated during the freakish fund-raiser towards the £3,200 target she needs to raise to join St Barnabas House’s sponsored Inca Trek in Peru, in May.

She said that one of her follow trekkers, David Williams, who accompanied her on the hunt, was scared witless during the evening.

“He was left physically shaking by the whole ordeal. He ended up screaming and running around,” she said. “But it was terrific fun.”

Mia, who is the newest member of LIGHT, has just under £300 left before hitting the target to take part in the Inca trek in a group of almost 40 walkers.

To sponsor Mia, click here.