THIS year has seen the charitable side of Redditch really shine – whether supporting local individuals with kinds acts or national charities with challenging fundraisers.
Here are just a few from 2017:
In April, a sweet-natured Redditch resident who won an Easter raffle chose to donate her cracking prize to Acorns Children’s Hospice in Birmingham. Doreen Cross, who lives in Terry Springs Court, won an enormous 6kg chocolate egg in a raffle and decided that her chocolatey treat would be better enjoyed by children in need.
In June, quick-thinking 11 year-old Ben Edwards from Woodrow while out walking with two of his friends noticed a lady who had taken a tumble. As adults walked by, the youngsters came to her aid, first trying to help her and then Ben called for an ambulance. The Woodfield Academy pupil was among nine inspirational young people invited to Police Headquarters to receive a 2017 Young Good Citizen Award.
In July, disaster struck when thieves broke into a roadside snack-van and stole a charity collection box for the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation. However, generosity prevailed when days later an envelope, containing an anonymous note and £100 in cash found its way to charity founders Rob and Maggie Underwood. The note said the work of the charity had inspired the mystery donor to help replace some of the lost funds.
In October, a recently bereaved Redditch mum decided to help others experiencing the loss of a baby by raising money for a new hospital bereavement suite.
Kirsty Southwell, from Church Hill, was cared for in the Fay Turner suite at the Worcestershire Royal after her son Finley was stillborn in July – and despite her trauma, decided to help others in need.
Kirsty organised a day-time pajama walk to not only raise funds, but also awareness of support available to new mums and families experiencing loss.
Also in October, an intrepid Redditch duo trekked the Himalayas – raising almost £7,000 for a cause close to their hearts.
Chris Thomas and Steve Betteridge, who both work for Church Hill Big Local, flew out for a 10-day trek to conquer the Annapurna region of the world’s biggest mountain range.
The daunting trip was all in aid of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Roy Castle was a famous entertainer who in 1994 died from cancer caused by passive smoking – and a similar fate befell Chris’ dad, Terry.
In November, Redditch-based charity Cavell Nurses’ Trust, ensured a cash boost for nurses suffering hardship, raising more than £15,000 with their #10kForNurses fundraising campaign. Eighty people from across the UK took on the 10k in a variety of ways from running, walking, cycling and rowing 10km, baking and selling 10k calories of cakes, sewing 10k stitches, playing 10k seconds of tennis and someone even hopped 10km on a space hopper.
Generous couple Marcus and Joyce Emerson launched the very first Alcester Community Christmas Day Dinner – a scheme where those alone on Christmas Day were invited to share a traditional dinner and festive day together at the Jubilee Centre.
