A HEFTY cheque for £2,745 was handed to Carer Support Wiltshire as the ex-mayor of Malmesbury's charity appeal came to an end.

Ex-mayor John Gundry and ex-mayoress Jacqueline Tong presented the cheque Catharine Hurford from Carer Support Wiltshire with most of the money raised at the Mayor's charity blues night in March and the Mayor's charity cabaret in April.

Cllr Gundry said: "We chose Carer Support Wiltshire because changes in demographics and government policy mean that more and more people - of all ages - are finding themselves caring for relatives. That is often a new and demanding responsibility and Carer Support Wiltshire provides personal help and support to a wide range of unpaid carers."

The charity, which aims to support all unpaid carers in Wiltshire and make sure they have a voice in policy making, regularly hold Carer's Cafe's to support the 250 registered carers in Malmesbury.

"I am very grateful to all who helped with the fundraising or contributed to the appeal," Cllr Gundry added. "Particularly the town hall staff who maintain the town hall and organised the ticket sales, The Dustbowl Children and The Roy Poulton Blues Band who performed at the Blues Night and Salon Baroque who performed at the Charity Cabaret.

"And most of all to Jaqueline Tong, the Mayoress, who supported me throughout my year as mayor and also performed as a member of Salon Baroque together with ex-mayor Julia Bowen."