A FAMILY from Evesham have handed over a record breaking cheque from their fabulous 2024 fundraising efforts.
Mandy, Bryan and Bethan Edwards gave £2,000 to Cotswold RDA (Riding for the Disabled) earlier this month beating last year’s donation by £500 and have also sent the same amount to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Mandy and Bryan – now helped by daugther Bethan – have spent nearly two decades tirelessly generating cash for the two organisations with a variety of ventures as both have a special place in the family’s hearts.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital performed life-saving open heart surgery on Bethan, when she was just three days old. Several operations were to follow.
Bethan, who is now 20, was born with a serious heart complaint called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition suffered by around one in 4,000 babies.
Mandy said: “In recent years we have decided to raise funds for Cotswold RDA based at Cheltenham racecourse, as Bethan spends a lot of her time there either riding or volunteering”.
Mandy raises funds through making and selling crafts whilst husband Bryan sells donated house and garden plants.
Bryan got the idea when he popped by the recycling and waste centre at Wyre Piddle. He said: “I saw an advert at the centre for bicycle donations and wondered what people do with their house plants when they fancy a change.
“I created the Facebook page Charity Plants Evesham and haven’t looked back. It’s amazing what turns up at our doorstep. Most are instantly sellable, whilst with others I’m able to split them to make multiple plants.”
Mandy’s annual Christmas craft event held last November at Leedons Park, Childswickham provided a large proportion of the total amount.
She also sells through her Facebook page Cosy Hearts Crafts.
