CARNIVAL organisers in Kidderminster have chosen our appeal as the principal benefactor for this year's fun-packed event.

Last year, Kidderminster Carnival raised £5,000 for charity and although a lot depends on the weather, the appeal looks set to gain a substantial boost from the proceeds.

Colin Hill, chairman of the carnival committee, said: "The committee is pleased to be helping the Scouts. Rhydd Covert is an excellent facility which hundreds - if not thousands - of youngsters have visited over the years.

"So many children have enjoyed the facilities there in the past, we thought the people of the town, who give so generously to the carnival, would want us to help with the rebuild appeal."

The carnival will be held on Saturday, June 18 at Brinton Park, with the usual parade of floats through the town first.

Money is raised for charity through the parade's street collection, the sale of programmes door-to-door, profits from the day and pre-carnival events, including the popular duck race on the River Stour next to Tesco's.

Organisers are already appealing for stall-holders and entertainers to fill the showground and for organisations - commercial and voluntary - to enter floats in the parade.

"We would love to see more entries in the street parade," added Mr Hill. "It's great fun, there's a real sense of community spirit and, if groups can't manage a float, they can enter as pedestrians in fancy dress."

For more details and entry forms, contact Mr Hill on 01562 751634.

Brewing up support

A FRIENDSHIP group based in Kidderminster held coffee mornings and bring and buy sales to raise cash for our appeal.

A group of friends who set up the Ash Friendship Fund were pleased to help fund the rebuilding of the Scout hut at Rhydd Covert, said treasurer, Audrey Howell.

She said: "We were very upset to learn of the destruction of Rhydd Covert and give our best wishes for a successful and speedy reconstruction."

We've supported Operation Covert

BUSINESSES

Cadspec

Duke William pub

Exilco

Hartbeat Fitness Training

Horwath Clark Whitehill

MJS IT Services

Sainsbury's, Kidderminster

Severn Water Products

Topstitch

Webb Tolley

SCHOOLS

Franche First

Mayfield House Kindergarten

Sutton Park First

Wolverley Sebright First

ORGANISATIONS

5th and 6th Stourport Brownies

Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club

Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons

Classical Music Society

Harlequins Orienteering Club

Hope and Charity Freemasons

KD9 Scouts

Kidderminster Carolians RFC

Kidderminster Horticultural Society

Kidderminster Lions FC

Kidderminster Rotary Club

Kidderminster Soroptimists

Severn and Teme District Scouts

Stourport Choral and Operatic Society

Stourport Rotary Club

Stourport Social Day Centre

Sytchampton Folk Dance Club

Vernon Freemasons

Wolverley Ladies Fellowship

Wyre Forest Conservatives

Wyre Forest district councillors

Wyre Forest Golf Club seniors

Wyre Forest Scottish Country Dance Club

Wyre Forest Young Enterprise