REPRESENTATIVES of local organisations “braved the elements” during Storm Babet to collect big cheques for funds raised by the former Chair of the Forest Council in the last year.

Members of Forest Pulse, Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) and Forest Sensory Services (FSS) members attended the council offices in Coleford  on Friday (October 20) to be presented with cheques by Cllr Julia Gooch and Cllr James Bevan for funds raised at last year’s Chairman’s events.

The money was raised at events including the Chairman’s Carol Service which is held every year, and the funds are then distributed between the chosen charities.

Of more than £2,000 raised Forest Pulse and FVAF received £817 while Forest Sensory Services received a cheque for £546.

Forest Pulse helps children and young people with disabilities and their families; FVAF supports local community groups to continue providing services; and Forest Sensory Services helps those with sight and hearing impairments.

This year, the charities chosen by Chair Cllr Di Martin and Vice Chair Cllr Simon Phelps are Great Oaks Forest Hospice and Barnardo’s.

Cllr Gooch said in a post to X, formerly Twitter: “Thankyou to all those who helped us to raise the funds for these great causes”.

A council spokesperson commented: “A huge thank you to all who braved the elements to attend.”