Series of fundraising events rakes in more than £2,000 in face of recent damning report about West Midlands town
Local fundraisers have been praised by Redditch Kingfisher Rotarians for ‘demonstrating the true spirit of the town’ in the wake of a damning recent report about it.
A series of events on the run up to Christmas have raised more than £2,000 for Rotary-supported charities, thanks to the generosity and support of the community.
This follows the release of a report in October on the English Indices of Deprivation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In it, it was revealed that there was a high rate of household deprivation in Redditch with more than half of households classed as deprived in at least one category, citing the town’s visible drug problem, high volume of empty shops and vandalism.
Events include a successful Quiz Night held in Webheath Village Hall on 12th December which raised over £850. The proceeds will help provide bi-monthly shopping support for the Redditch Foodbank and in conjunction with Rotary charity partner Kids In Mind, help create Toyboxes for children spending Christmas Day in refuges across Worcestershire and the West Midlands due to domestic violence.
The following day, a bucket collection at Morrisons in Redditch raised over £650 for more shopping goods for the Redditch Foodbank. In addition, Tesco Redditch generously provided surplus stock that enabled Rotary volunteers to fill 25 toyboxes for children in Eastern Europe this Christmas, including those affected by the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Further community support has also been received from local organisations. Astwood Bank Community Group donated £300 from funds raised at their carnival in July and Christmas Market at the end of November, helping to maintain Public Access Defibrillators and provide additional support for the Memory Café held monthly in Astwood Bank.
The Astwood Bank Club also donated £450 from proceeds raised at their Flower Show in August and ClubFest in September, also in support of the Memory Café.
Redditch Kingfisher President Elizabeth Webber said: “In the face of negative publicity, recent charity fundraising events organised by Redditch Kingfisher Rotary Club have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, raising vital funds for a range of local and international projects.
“These acts of kindness highlight what many already know – Redditch is a caring, compassionate town where people step up to support those in need. Redditch Kingfisher Rotary Club would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated, volunteered, or offered support.
“The people have truly spoken – and they have spoken with generosity. They have once again demonstrated the true spirit of the town through their generosity and support for community causes. Happy holidays and well done Redditch!”
