A HOST of charities will receive a financial boost thanks to a seasonal fundraising tradition.

Mike Jones, Rotary Club of Oswestry Tree of Light event organiser , has announced that the 2018 event raised more than £6,000.

"Each year we fortunately seem to increase the number of sponsors who donate in memory of a loved one, either living or departed, or for a special event." he said.

"This year we have had a large number of donations with the donors knowing that every penny is given to local charities that meet the needs of many local people.”

The Tree of Light has stood on the forecourt of Sainsbury’s store in Oswestry at Christmas time for the past seven years, raising more than £42,000 for various charities.

Thanking Sainsbury's Mike said: "We are so grateful to the manager and staff of Sainsbury's for allowing the Rotary Club of Oswestry to hold this event and for the support given to us which has enabled us to raise over £6,000 again this year." Crediting Club members for their assistance he added: "The dedicated members of the committee have worked hard for over six months on this project and together with the support of many members of the club, families and friends have been able to achieve this result and enabled us to support over eleven different local charities.

"Our thanks must go out though to all who have generously sponsored this event, especially members of our business community who have given financial support or provided materials for the event not least the beautiful Christmas Tree."

He added: "The generosity of the people of Oswestry and district has once been incredible and we are so lucky living in this area to find the kindness and support that we continue to receive from them each year."