Sandwell fundraiser put off as bad weather forecast
A major event to raise money for a mayor's charities has been postponed because of a poor weather forecast and a lack of people signing up to take part.
Activities were set to take place over Saturday and Sunday in Sandwell Valley Park, including a sponsored walk, mountain bike trail and family entertainment.
The event was being staged to raise funds for Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Linda Horton's two selected charities. It has now been put back until the spring.
Sandwell Council spokesman Chris Horst said: "Unfortunately this weekend's fundraising event for the Mayor's charities at Sandwell Valley has been postponed.
"Due to lack of entrants and a mixed weather forecast, we've taken the decision to postpone the fundraising weekend until the spring when the weather is better.
"Sorry to anyone who is disappointed. We'll let you know the new date when we have it."
Councillor Horton added: "We're sorry for any disappointment and will publicise new dates and details once they've been agreed."
Up until yesterday morning registration was still open for competitions at the two-day event, which included a sponsored walk around Swan Pool and a 30-kilometre mountain bike trail ride on the Saturday, with a fishing competition on the Sunday.
There was also due to be other family entertainment including tractor-trailer rides.
All of the money raised would have gone to the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and BUDS (Better Understanding of Dementia in Sandwell).
Carly Jones, head of fundraising at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals, which incorporates the eye centre, said: "The event has just been postponed so we are hoping it will take place around spring time when things start to pick up again.
"We are also looking at doing something around Christmas time, and we have got plans for a couple of things at Halloween. If people want to support us in the meantime, they can also hold things such as dress-down days and cake sales."
The Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre is the second largest eye centre in Europe, receiving referrals from GPs and hospitals in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The centre treats the whole range of eye conditions from common, minor complaints through to glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic-related eye conditions.
BUDS, based on Watery Lane in Smethwick, aims to improve the quality of life of people experiencing dementia and their family carers in the borough.
