ORGANISERS of a popular vintage show, which takes place every year at South Cerney Airfield, have donated over £25,000 to regional and national charities.

The Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza enjoyed one of its most successful events last year, despite soaring heat, with nearly 20,000 people coming though the gates during the weekend.

Show organiser, Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (SVTEC), hosted a special evening at Stonehouse Court Hotel on Monday, January 28, and invited representatives from 38 charities.

Martyn Slater, Chairman of SVTEC said “Last year nearly 20,000 visitors flocked through the gates of the Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Extravaganza during the hottest weekend of the year.

"It was one of the best attended shows in the events 44-year history which meant that we are able to invest in the sustainability of our future shows, but also support many worthwhile charities”.

Donations for local causes included a surprise donation to Anne Edwards School, South Cerney who have been saving to buy a defibrillator. Organisers presented them with a blank cheque to fully cover the cost of the defibrillator and cabinet for use by the community.

South Cerney Playgroup, located on the operating base of the event were presented £500 to help provide equipment and resources for the children or serving forces personnel.

And South Cerney Parish Council were presented £500 to assist with the organisation of their annual South Cerney Street Fair and Duck Race.

Cirencester Hospital League of Friends were also presented with £500. The donation will go towards a digital X-Ray machine, which the charity has been tasked with fundraising for.

The largest donations went to Cobalt Appeal Fund, Diabetes UK, The Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, Cotswold Canals Trust, Gloucestershire Scouts, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire 4x4 Response, Air Training Corp.

The event organisers are staunch supporters of Cobalt Health and Diabetes UK. Cobalt Health have actively been fundraising at the show for 17 years, in addition to the cheque presented, a team of Cobalt volunteers staffed the ticket gates and also raised an additional £5,000 over the weekend.

The Diabetes UK local patron is one of the shows founding members, the charity sells refreshments on site during the weekend and have raised a staggering £50,000 on site at the show during the time they have been involved.

Martyn Slater continued “There is so much goodwill in the county. To me it’s the highlight of the year and makes all the stresses and strains of running the show all worthwhile and inspires us all to carry on. Each recipient was given the opportunity to say a few words about their respective causes. It is our hope that we are in a position to do something similar for many years to come.”