Organisers of popular vintage rally show support for county charity

The County of Salop Steam Engine Society (COSSES), who are the organisers of the annual Shrewsbury Steam Rally, explained why they had wanted to support the charity.

Edward Goddard, Chairman of COSSES said: “Members of the Society decided to make the donation in recognition and appreciation of their valuable help to the late- President of the Society, Mr John Onions, who received many years of dialysis.

"John was a stalwart of our many rallies and is greatly missed. We are indeed honoured to make this donation to the Shropshire Kidney Patients Association (SKPA) and especially to a charity that provides so much support.

"John Onions was Chairman of the Society for the first time, from 1992 to 2000 and it was during this time that the rally, under John’s leadership, made the successful and invaluable move to Onslow Park in Shrewsbury.

"He was also Chairman from 2008 until 2014, when he took on the role of President and he fulfilled that role with his usual vigor until his death."

 Tom Beaumont, Chairman of the Shropshire Kidney Patients Association, said: “As chairman of the SKPA, I can confirm that we are very grateful for the generous donation to our Charity which allows us to support all those patients on dialysis or in other areas of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

"I can appreciate the period of Dialysis that John encountered as I am a Renal Patient myself and have been for some eight years and all donations to our funds help us to help patients where it is not always possible from the NHS. My sincere Thanks to COSSES, which is much appreciated."