SEVENTEEN Redditch community groups have been given a vital cash boost, thanks to the Astwood Bank Carnival team.
A total of £7,000 has been raised over the year with a series of events that included a murder mystery evening, quiz nights, a barn dance and the Astwood Bank Carnival itself in July.
The hard-earned money has been shared out among 17 organisations across the town including Redditch Association for the Blind, Redditch Night Stop, The Ditch Youth Project, as well as organisations from the wider area such as the West Mercia Youth Police band.
Local groups St Matthias and St George, Astwood Bank Parish Church and the Astwood Bank Operatic Society have also benefited.
The grants were awarded at a ceremony at Ridgeway Academy on November 21 and were handed out by this year’s Carnival Queen, Storm Cox, and Carnival Princess, Emily Flower.
In addition to the grants, the successful year of fund-raising has allowed the carnival team to support the Astwood Bank in Bloom group, and provide investment for the first-ever Christmas lights along the Evesham Road.
Carnival chairman Ashley Hewitt said: “Thanks to the amazing support by local residents and businesses alike, not just for the carnival day back in July but also for all of the other events we hold throughout the year, we’ve been able to support both local groups and others further afield that help us. The handing out of grants to such worthwhile causes makes all of the effort of the whole team well worth it as we can see how many well-deserving causes benefit from our work.”
