A FORMER Mayor of Bewdley has handed a financial boost to two local good causes.

Councillor Linda Candlin organised several events such as quizzes, bingo evenings and sponsored haircuts during her year as mayor, raising more than £5,400 for Headway Worcestershire and the Bewdley Concert Band.

The fundraising endeavours also included a sell-out “night at the proms” in Bewdley with music from Bewdley Concert Band, the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra, Jonathon Darby and local soprano Claire Warboys.

Mrs Candlin said: “I was so impressed with the tireless energy that Bewdley Concert Band put into every performance that I had no choice but to have them as one of my charities.

“Musicians of every age and ability are invited to join and the town is privileged to have such an amazing enthusiastic group in our midst.

“They have helped so much during my mayoral year and together we have collected more money than ever before for Bewdley Mayor’s charities.”

“I chose Headway Worcestershire as one of my charities because of the help and support they provided for my family during a very traumatic period of my eldest daughter’s life.

“They were there to advise and point us in the right direction when all we could think about was living from minute to minute.”

Mel Akers, chief executive officer of Headway Worcestershire, added: “We are truly grateful for the support that Councillor Candlin and her team have given to Headway and its service users.

“It’s tough for charities at the moment and without support like this we could not offer the range of services we do to brain injured people, their families and carers.

“Offering services across a county the size of Worcestershire is not easy and this money will help us to support and care for people in both rural villages and towns.”