Annual Donnington bonfire under threat
The couple behind Telford's biggest annual bonfire say the event is under threat because of rising costs.
Alf and Jennifer Mitchell, who have been organising the free Donnington Bonfire for nearly 40 years, say this year's event may not go ahead if they they can't get help to raise funds.
Mrs Mitchell, 70, who lives in Cradely Heath in the West Midlands, said although they get some money from the fairground rides and catering vans that set up at the bonfire, they have to fund much of the event themselves, spending thousands of pounds to make sure it goes ahead.
She said: "Everything is going up ever year.
"It has come up even more this year on this and that and we have to pay for everything ourselves."
Mr and Mrs Mitchell run the event with their son Mark and his wife Leah.
Entry is free on the gate and any money raised through car parking goes directly to the Sea Cadets who help the Mitchells run the event.
They also allow charities to take up stalls for their own fundraising on the night for free.
As well as difficulties funding the event itself, Mr and Mrs Mitchell say that they are even having trouble finding enough wooden pallets to build the bonfire.
Each year the couple appeal for companies to donate old pallets, but say that with increased recycling, fewer and fewer people are coming forward to donate the wood.
Mrs Mitchell said: "We have been doing it for almost 40 years and it would be a shame if it were to finish now.
"But there is a lot of work, especially now we're getting older.
"We were very lucky last year with the weather, but how long can you keep being lucky?"
The pair are asking for people to donate funds to go straight to the services they need to host the bonfire, including fireworks, security and the emergency services.
Mrs Mitchell said: "I don't want them to give any money to me, I want them to give it to the people we need to pay.
"Even if a company donates a little bit here and there it will all help.
"We do enjoy it , we like the people around there, they're always nice to us and they've always been very grateful."
To help the Mitchells fund this year's event contact Alf on 0797038299 or Jennifer on 07976717042.
