Club raises £1,300 for Noah’s Ark

7:59am Thursday 27th March 2008

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THEY may be retired but that has not stopped a Worcester group busily raising money for a very worthy city charity.

The Exel Retired Staff Association, which meets regularly in Barbourne Road, has presented Noah's Ark with a cheque for £1,300.

Members of the social club, who all worked for the national logistics firm, have been raising money through a number of raffles, coach trips, and by collecting loose change for the past year.

The group's treasurer Margaret Bennett said they chose a different charity each year to raise money for and this year plumped for Noah's Ark.

"We try to give to local charities so we know that they will use the money to help people in Worcestershire, which is very important to us," she said.

The group, which has almost 40 members, was visited by Sue Smith, trusts and corporates fund-raising manager, and Caroline Clarke, community fund-raising manager from the trust, so they could thank them for their hard work and show them how the money will be used.

Mrs Bennett said: "We were shown a video of the Worcester family helped by Noah's Ark which was really touching.

"Members of the group and some of our families have used the service a few years ago, so we were all very moved by the video."

For Mrs Bennett, who lives in Hallow Road, it was particularly poignant as when she was eight years old her father died.

"There was nothing like this when I was younger and it may have helped me get through the grief," she said. "I am sure the money will help a family and I know a little of what they may be going through, it is something so hard to come to terms with."

The video the group was shown is of the McDonald family from Dines Green. Mary McDonald was tragically killed in a car accident just before Christmas 2006, leaving her husband Stuart and four children.

To watch it yourself, visit worcesternews.co.uk and click on the Noah's Ark link.