Top efforts by Tipton St John players net £500 for charity

Donations were made to the Sid Vale Africa Link and the Devon Freewheelers

The talents of Tipton St John Players and Pantomime Society (TIPPS) have helped raise funds for two charities that change lives at home and overseas.

A major effort from all involved paid off as performers in The Spice of Life variety show played to packed houses, collecting enough to donate £250 each to the Sid Vale Africa Link and the Devon Freewheelers.

Ann Knight, of TIPPS, said: “It was a major TIPPS effort and a very happy show, which all came together in the end in spite of a few sleepless nights.”

TIPPS members formally presented each charity with a cheque last week.

The Sid Vale Africa Link has funded vital development work in the remote Kawaza village of northern Malawi and, after recently rekindling friendship links, is now exploring how improvements in IT could be developed to improve lives in the community.

Sid Vale Africa Link treasurer Roger White said: “Malawi is a spectacular country with beautiful scenery. Just now it is suffering a devastating drought and we want to do all we can to help our friends there to work for their own future. This wonderful donation will kick start a new programme of link activities.”

Devon Freewheelers provides an out-of-hours courier service to the NHS.

Caroline Retter, fundraising coordinator for the Freewheelers, said: “We are very grateful for the money raised. It will be used to keep the blood bikes on the road and enable us to continue the life-saving work we do.”