Cobalt has received a welcome boost to its funds thanks to the generosity of long standing supporters, Nailsworth and Woodchester Support Group.

The group has been fundraising for Cobalt for 36 years and made a large donation of £9238.18 at a special evening held at the Royal Oak in Woodchester on Wednesday 8 March. Publicans Niall and Trish have also been firm supporters of the charity hosting a collecting tin and offering meals as auction prizes.

Leaders of the support group, Richard Hardwick and John Perkins, presented Cobalt with the cheque.  Donations were raised from a fundraising walk, filling of penny pots with small change and events organised by the community and Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club.

Julia Jenkins, head of fundraising at Cobalt said:

“We were delighted to receive such a fantastic sum. Richard and John generously give up much of their free time to fundraise for us and to run events in aid of our Charity. The money they raise enables us to provide invaluable diagnostic imaging services to people in the community with cancer and other conditions.”

Richard and John are firm friends and were previously business partners.

Events they have helped make happen include Arthur’s Spring Stroll, which is a seven mile walk named after the late Arthur McTiffin, close pal of the two men and local resident of North Woodchester. This year the walk will be taking place on Sunday 16 April at 10am from Nailsworth Community Fire Station.

The pair also mastermind fundraising for Cobalt at the annual Gloucestershire Steam and Vintage Extravaganza in August running from 4 to 6 August this year at South Cerney Airfield. The show is one of the biggest of its kind in the country organised entirely by volunteers.