Award from High Sheriff after villagers raise £32,000 with coffee mornings

Volunteers at Criftins parish hall have raised about £32,000 for more than 30 charities through monthly coffee mornings and were presented with a certificate of appreciation by Shropshire's High Sheriff.

Volunteers at Criftins parish hall near Ellesmere run a monthly Coffee Club that began in September 2017 and paused for 18 months during Covid restrictions. The group meets on the last Thursday of each month and offers coffee, homemade cake and social time. Over the years the club has raised around £32,000 for more than 30 charities and community causes. Shropshire's High Sheriff, Jane Trowbridge, visited on 29 January to present a certificate of appreciation to the volunteers. Key details: - The Coffee Club was launched in September 2017 and only stopped during an 18-month Covid break. - The group has raised about £32,000 for charities including local churches, the Lingen Davies Cancer Appeal, Severn Hospice, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Alzheimer's Society and the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. - Twelve volunteers run the monthly event, welcoming between 80 and 100 people each month and including several male volunteers. - The January meeting raised more than £600 for Blood Cancer UK and the club often offers volunteer blood pressure checks and a table of surplus supermarket food for small donations. - Meetings are held from 10am to 12pm on the last Thursday of each month; admission is £2 to include coffee and cake and a giant raffle is held. Summary: The award recognises sustained volunteer effort that has both raised funds for many causes and provided regular social connection in the area. The club will continue its monthly meetings, with the next gathering scheduled for 26 February in aid of St Matthew's Church, Criftins.