LOCAL residents helped to raise more than £10,000 for groups across Shropshire and Mid Wales during a day of family entertainment at the Churchstoke Fun Day, organised by The Midcounties Co-operative.

More than 6,000 people attended, enjoying helicopter rides, a funfair and a host of activities. Visitors also enjoyed live performances from the Stannage International Stunt Team, who dazzled spectators with breath-taking motorbike tricks, and a spectacular American wrestling show.

Guests were also invited to learn more about eco-conscious living at the Midcounties’ sustainability tent, which hosted activities including compostable windmill and cotton bag designing classes.

Eco-campaigner Cal Major, who is The Midcounties Co-operative’s Environmental Ambassador, led a workshop where guests could learn how plastic bottles can be made into eco-bricks that can be used as reusable building blocks. She also delivered talks about the Society’s 1Change campaign, which highlights small everyday changes everyone can make to help protect the planet.

All of the proceeds from the day will be distributed to a variety of local good causes. Since 2015, the Churchstoke Fun Day has raised in excess of £110,000, which has helped more than 400 community groups.

Matt Windridge, head of supermarket operations at The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “The Churchstoke Fun Day always brings the local community together, and it was fantastic to see so many people of all different ages enjoying themselves with their friends and family. This year’s event was another success, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came along for helping us to raise so much money for a number of worthy local causes.”

The Churchstoke Fun Day forms part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s Regional Communities strategy, which sees members and colleagues come together to provide impactful and sustainable support for local community groups through volunteering and fundraising initiatives.

HOPES are high that local groups might take over the annual Churchstoke Fun Day after the huge success of last Sunday’s final event to be organised and hosted by the Midcounties Co-Operative.

The fun day has been a fixture of the village calendar for the past 24 years providing great entertainment as well as raising thousands of pounds for local charities and causes.

Sunshine on Sunday brought out the crowds again putting it on a par with last year when some 50 groups applied and were successful in getting grants as a result.

A company spokesman said on Wednesday: “We had some 6,000 people there but we won’t know the total raised probably for another 10 days.

“In terms of numbers we were on a par with last year when the weather was also sunny which was pleasing.

“Children loved seeing the characters and the wrestling and we enjoy it greatly but we are a big company with stores in other areas that we have to look at so sadly this is the last one we are organising at Churchstoke.

“It may be that local people may take it over and keep it going as it is so popular but we don’t know as yet,” he said.

The fun day was started by Roy Delves and his family when the store was the Harry Tuffin supermarket.

It quickly became a feature of the village life attracting people from both sides of the border given its location. Since 2015 alone more than £100,000 has been raised and distributed in some 400 donations to local causes.