£30k boost by Wyre Forest cancer research fundraisers

The district’s fundraising committee for Cancer Research UK reported at its annual meeting a bumper £33,256 collected from donations and various events.

Treasurer David Smith said: “We celebrated raising the milestone £1 million last summer and this latest amount raised in the year ending January 31 2025 is £5,000 more than the previous year, which is fantastic.”

In memoriams amounted to £15,000, last year’s spring lunch raised £5,000 and a further £5,000 was raised for the charity at the annual Rainbow Cancer Care Foundation Golf Day at Cleobury Mortimer.

The committee’s annual jazz night in Bewdley raised £1,000, more than £600 was collected at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, a Mother’s Day afternoon tea raised almost £700, the annual Big Breakfast raised £550 and a further £1,700 came from a Psychic Evening.

Mr Smith added: “We are also very grateful to other people who raised money on our behalf, including Anne-Marie Simms, who donated £1,012 from the sale of her beautiful calendars of Bewdley.”

Stalwart committee member Peter Tomlinson, who joined in 1989, stepped down as chairman and Anita Rose, who joined the committee almost three years ago, was unanimously voted to take over the role.

Retired broadcaster, former Worcestershire County Council chairman and West Midlands High Sherriff, Mr Tomlinson, who also donated almost £900 from his own fundraising activities, was made honorary life president in recognition of his services to the committee.

He said: “I’m flattered to be given this title as cancer research is very close to my heart. I will continue to support the committee in its efforts to raise vital funds for this extremely worthwhile charity, which does so much amazing work to help end the suffering caused by this dreadful disease.”