Charities get Show windfall (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Charities get Show windfall

AS well as being an entertaining event for all the family, the West Wilts Show raises much-needed funds for local charities.

This year the show on July 28-30, sponsored by the Wiltshire Times, is supporting Larkrise Community Farm and Carers Support West Wiltshire.

Larkrise is a farm for children and adults with special needs that provides hands-on training and experience of working with animals.

Students and staff have just moved into a new building on West Ashton Road, Trowbridge, and any extra funding will be very welcome.

Farm manager Wendy Self said: "We are really grateful the show is supporting us as one of its charities because with the new site there are a lot of things we need to buy."

The money raised will also be used to buy new runs to be used when the farm exhibits at local fetes.

Carers Support West Wiltshire provides an invaluable lifeline to people caring for disabled or elderly relatives, friends or neighbours in their own homes.

The last survey indicated there were 11,000 carers in the district but at the moment Carers Support is only in touch with about 1,400 at any time. It is hoped the money raised through the show will help the Semington-based charity to raise its profile and reach out to more people.

Mary Pratton from Carers Support said: "We want to raise awareness of what we do as well as identifying those people out there who would benefit from our help."

This year's West Wilts Show promises to be even bigger and better than ever.

Eighties pop legend Midge Ure is set to headline the three-day show and will be joined by 70s glam rockers The Sweet, Beatles tribute band Sgt Pepper and a host of local groups.