TWENTY charities are to receive a cash boost from what is thought to be Kidderminster's largest mayoral fund to date.

Last year's mayor Ken Stokes raised £6,700 in his term of office and will be dividing it between a number of children's charities.Ken Stokes with equipment for the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation, which has been boosted by the mayoral fund.The donations, ranging from £100 to £1,000, are being awarded to charities including schools, youth groups and the Shuttle/Times & News' Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation.

The vicar of St. Michael's Church in Stourport has also been sponsored by Mr Stokes to undertake a walk around New Zealand to raise money for the Children's Society.

Mr Stokes said he was delighted to have raised such a large amount of money.

"We worked tremendously hard to get it and I think it's the most a mayor has ever raised in Kidderminster for their charities," he said.

"And on top of that I also raised money for my war memorial and money for the Kidderminster bell at St Mary's Church."

He said the money had been raised in a variety of ways, including a line dance, Christmas grotto, fashion show and ball, and was being distributed according to need.

"Some of these groups have helped me tremendously, so they have, if you like, helped themselves," he said.

"But need has been taken into consideration more than anything else."

He added: "What we found is that a little bit goes a long way. I was told by the lady with the Rainbow and Brownies that they're going to use the money to buy new books."