Good causes benefit from carnival cash

Buy photos » More than £6,000 was given to good causes by the Astwood Bank Carnival committee. (s)

MORE than £6,000 has been handed out to good causes following this year's Astwood Bank Carnival.

Astwood Bank First School received a cheque for £750 which will be used to buy an interactive iPad for use on a one-to-one level with pupils and Ridgeway Middle School received the same amount to be spent on outdoor equipment.

Other organisations to benefit include Redditch Blind Association, 1st Matchborough Scouts, the YMCA, Indigo Arts, Redditch Young Firefighters, Macmillan Cancer Support and Midlands Air Ambulance.

Lesley Jones, who took on the role of chair two years ago and has now stepped down but will remain on the carnival committee, said: "It has been a real privilege to lead a fantastic small band of committed volunteers over the last couple of years who continue to work tirelessly for the village of Astwood Bank.

"However it is the villagers themselves who have supported carnival events throughout the year who have enabled us to give away this wonderful sum of money."

New chair Jenny Lightfoot added: "We intend to keep fund-raising for the charities in and around the village and we hope the village will get behind us again next year."

A secretary and PR person are needed to join the committee, anyone interested can visit www.astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk to find out more. Next year's event will take place on July 13 with the theme Science - Fact or Fiction.

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