GOOD causes showcased their services at a market event

The Oswestry Autumn Charity Market took place on Friday (September 7).

Stalls were set up at the Bailey Head to allow a variety of charities from around the county to promote their services.

The event – organised by Qube in association with Oswestry Town Council – is now in its eight year. A charity market was also held earlier in the year.

Event organiser Kim Thompson-Lawrence spoke about the importance of this type of event.

She said: “The event is an opportunity for local charities and community groups to come along and tell people about what they do, and also to fundraise.

“It’s a chance for the public to come along and find out what’s available in terms of support from those here, and also to find out about what clubs they’re able to join and volunteer for.

“They are successful events which is good, but like a lot of things it can be weather dependant.

“It’s important for the community so that the people here know what’s going on and what’s available for them to access in the area.”

The event welcomed 20 charities and community groups including the Alzheimer’s Society, Oswestry Lions, Walking for Health, the Movement Centre, Derwyn College and Remap.

It was part-funded the European Social Fund and the National Lottery as pat of the Building Better Opportunities Programme.

John Graham, chairman of Remap, a charity that manufactures custom made equipment for people with disabilities, agrees that the event is important for the charities as well as the area.

He said: “This is the third time I’ve been here to this one, we get to similar events all over the region though in Wem, Market Drayton, Shifnal and other places.

“It’s amazing how many people come along and say that they’ve never heard of us considering we’ve been going for 50 years, so it’s really good to be able to promote ourselves.

“We’ve had a lot of people come past and tell us they think our services may be of use to them, so it shows these events are very useful."