'Wacky races' event raises £10,000 for charity

The money raised from the annual Richards Castle Soap Box derby in July was handed over to three charities at a special presentation.

Over the past 15 years the community-run event has raised a staggering £114,000 which has been distributed to over 50 chosen charities and local organisations.

This year, the money was split between ECHO, a charity which provides services to people with disabilities in Herefordshire, The Cart Shed, which improves the wellbeing of vulnerable people through their woodlands, and Working Together, a Ludlow-based organisation which encourages the inclusion of people with learning disabilities.

Chairman Humphrey Salwey said: "This year was a more challenging event with the extreme heat, but the team managed to pull off a fantastic event and we are so grateful to the competitors and spectators for supporting the derby - without them we couldn’t raise this level of money. This is s the icing on the cake to hear how the money raised will be spent in the local community empowering the lives of local people and making a real difference."

Cheques were also presented to Richards Castle Village Hall, Ludlow Fire Service, Ludlow Air Cadets, Richards Castle All Saints Church and Richards Castle WI - who have selected Friends of Orleton Primary School and Ludlow CE School to receive funds to support their mental health initiatives.

The event saw huge crowds flock to see the thrills and spill of soap box racing, with carts of all shapes and sizes taking part.