Wacky Shropshire races raise more than £10,000

The Richards Castle's Soap Box Derby committee has now counted £10,450 in donations for local charities following its annual derby of home-made carts this summer, just beating last year's total of about £9,000, which was itself a record breaker.

The money will be handed over to a range of good causes in the coming weeks.

The event, held on Hanway Common, features engine-less vehicles built by competitors which are sent down a 550 metre-long course and has featured carts made up to look like everything from Daleks to the Flintstones' family car.

This year saw 30 teams compete on the day in July, with family entertainment from the Welsh Axemen, as well as lawnmower racing, car parades and alpaca treks.

Chairman Humphrey Salwey said pledged money had now been collected and proved it was bumper year.

He said: "A big thank you to everyone who supported this years' Soap Box Derby from the competitors who had spent hours travelling and preparing their soap box, to the volunteers, stall holders and the local people who came out to spectate - all together making this the most successful Soap Box Derby to date."

The three main charities to benefit will be Ewe & You care farm based at Nash, South Shropshire Home Start, which supports families with children under five and Hope Support which is a charity which operates across the border throughout Herefordshire supporting young people aged 11 years or more.

Donations will also go to Richards Castle Village Hall, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ludlow Air Cadets, Richards Castle WI and Richards Castle Church.

A presentation evening will be held on September 23 the village hall from 7.30pm, Mr Salwey said, to present the charities with their cheques.

He said: "The Richards Castle Soap Box Derby committee would like to extend an invitation to competitors and volunteers to attend the presentation evening, to celebrate the success as they play such a vital part of the derby.

"Since the start of Richards Castle Soap Box Derby back in 2004 over £80,000 has been raised for local charities, this is down to the generosity of those taking part raising sponsorship, the local people who spectate, businesses who place programme advertising and not forgetting the hard work of the committee who put on one of the best Soap Box events in the country," he said.

The Soap Box Derby will be back next year on July 3.