The Rossendale branch of Save The Children held its 52nd Annual General Meeting on May 11th and heard that another successful year of fundraising had seen almost £8,000 sent to the charity’s national headquarters to help with its work overseas and in the UK.

Branch treasurer Molly Lancaster told the meeting that, although direct donations to the branch were slightly down on the previous year, this had been more than made up by holding five fund-raising events and holding three supermarket collection days.

Mrs Lancaster said “During Save The Children Week at the beginning of May two events raised nearly £600. Despite bad weather our bric-a-brac stall at Rawtenstall market brought in £200, and a day’s collection at Haslingden TESCO raised £370”.

Branch Chairman, Christine Worrell, said: “Rawtenstall branch started in 1962 and is still going strong, although like other groups we could do with some new members. Over the years our fundraising has amounted to over £400,000 which is amazing. The funds raised go to SCF’s work with children and families in over 120 countries, including the UK.”

Christine continued “At the present time SCF teams are working hard in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Nepal, as we have had permanent teams there for many years so they were already in the country when the earthquakes struck. We think that this current tragedy may have increased donations during Save The Children Week”.

The branch will be holding its next two events in June, with a charity performance of ‘A Night On The Tiles’ by Rossendale Players on June 14th, and the annual ‘Strawberry Delight Day’ on June 18th when strawberry and cream scones are delivered to shops and offices around Rawtenstall to raise funds.

Pictured above are committee members and helpers Jean Ashworth, Elaine Roberts, and Jackie Poucher at the Save the Children Week stall at Rawtenstall market.