Carnival cash for charity

A leading cancer charity has been chosen as the main beneficiary of money raised at this year's Kidderminster Carnival. The Wyre Forest committee of Cancer Research UK will receive the biggest share of the proceeds from the event.

The venue for the carnival will be Brinton Park on June 23.

Donations are also planned to Blakebrook After School and Holiday Club, attended by many of the town's special needs youngsters and the Kidderminster Carers Groups, which helps people caring for dependents at home.

The decision to give the bulk of the proceeds to Cancer Research UK follows hot-on-the-heels of a £500 donation to the charity's Wyre Forest committee from last year's carnival.The main beneficiary from last year's event was Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester, which cares for youngsters from the legion with life-limiting diseases.

It was given £2,500 and a further £300 was donated to Wyre Forest NightStop, which helps homeless young people in the district.

Carnival chairman Colin Hill said: "Money raised through the carnival should benefit local people and we have supported numerous Kidderminster and Wyre Forest-based charities over the years.

"Cancer is a devastating illness, which affects one in three of us. The local fund-raising committee is small, but raises thousands of pounds a year for research which is developing new treatments which Kidderminster cancer patients can benefit from."We hope people will dig deep into their pockets and show their usual generosity for this, and our two other, very worthwhile causes.

Margaret Griffin, co-ordinator of Cancer Research UK's Wyre Forest Committee, said she was delighted the charity had been chosen.

"There is so much going on in the search for cures and improved treatments for a vast number of cancers. The scientists are storming ahead thanks to the money raised by the general public and we need to keep the momentum going."

Anyone interested in booking a stall or providing entertainment at the carnival is being asked to call Mr Hill on 01562 751634.

The search for this year's carnival queen, princess and rosebuds is also set to be launched shortly with the day of the contest planned for Sunday April 15 at Kidderminster Town Hall.