A SUCCESSFUL day of fund-raising saw generous Pershore people help secure the future of a town group and support a project to get a new wheelchair for a disabled youngster.

The mayor and mayoress of Pershore, Chris and Jan Parsons, opened the St Andrew’s Toddler Group Fair last weekend where visitors showed their support to both causes.

Money raised will go towards the continuation of the group, as well as for a new heating system at the hall. However, the event also included a fund-raising stall for schoolboy Jonty Smith, who needs a new wheelchair.

Toddler group leader Jessica Frost said: “The event went really well and we had more than 100 visitors. We raised £527 and this will be split between the toddler group and the heating fund.

“All the children did really well in the colouring competition, and we’d like to thank the Mothers’ Union for helping out and the St Andrew’s committee for their support, plus anyone who helped on the day.”

Meanwhile, the stall for Jonty Smith, who has cerebral palsy, left hemiplegia and epilepsy, raised £165, taking the total raised so far to £6,500. His family are looking to raise £7,000 for a powered wheelchair.

His mother Jane Keen-Smith said: “We were really pleased with the support we received, it’s been amazing. I cannot believe we’ve done it so quickly, but this money has been raised in four weeks.” As well as the stall takings, the family also received £350 from Philip Gill who ran the Windsor Half Marathon, £100 from Almick Engineering, in Pershore, £100 from Severn Waste Services and £100 from Pershore Baptist Church.

A fayre has also been organised at Pershore Naval Social Club on Wednesday, October 27, to try and get the family over the line. For details, visit wheelchairforjonty.webs.com