THE mayor of Tenbury has praised the community effort that helped raise a bumper £2,320 for charity.

Councillor Keith Griffiths' chosen charities are Tenbury Kemp Hospice and Age Concern which shared the money equally.

The donation was the result of the success of the Mayor's variety concert featuring local talent during the Tenbury Festival and the Mayor's charity dinner at Cadmore Lodge.

Coun Griffiths said: "It's not just down to me. People across the community made a big effort to get involved and organise fund-raising events, I am delighted we have reached such a grand total.

"At the end of the day, Tenbury people are very generous when it comes to rallying round for local good causes and I want to thank everyone who contributed during my year in office.

"Both Tenbury Kemp Hospice and Age Concern play a vital part in caring for the community and deserve as much support as possible throughout the year." he added.

John Asquith, from Tenbury Kemp Hospice said: "Tenbury hospice is now firmly established each Monday in the day care centre at Tenbury Hospital. Patients with life threatening illnesses receive palliative care from specialist nurses, trained volunteers and chaplains, and can also chose complementary treatments like physiotherapy, reflexology and aromatherapy.

"We provide free care funded by local fund-raising events, plus support from the original Kemp Hospice in Kiddermin-ster. This generous donation will help us continue our specialised care for people in the Tenbury area."

An equally delighted John Garner, manager at Age Con-cern's Penlu Day Centre, said: "The donation has played a major part in our development at Penlu, and I thank Mr Griffiths for all his efforts. We used it to install an amplifier and radio microphones so our 105 members, ranging from 60 to 96 years of age, can get more involved in group activities and enjoy singing and performing."

"Our members are referred to us by the social, health and voluntary services and working together with the community enables us to provide so much for so many."