A CROWDFUNDER campaign has launched to help raise funds to ensure Bewdley Carnival continues next year.

Philip Edmundson and Gordon Roberts launched the fundraising page through the 'This is Bewdley' Facebook page and hope to help raise £3,000 for 2018's carnival event.

Bewdley Carnival is organised by a group of volunteers every year and relies heavily on donations to continue its success.

Last year, the carnival celebrated its 50th anniversary and a shadow was cast over wherever the event could continue in 2018 with the lack of committee members and funds.

Jess Matthews, a member of the Bewdley Carnival committee, said: "With some funds raised by the committee every year, it has been getting harder and harder for the charity run event to keep going and currently has a small number of members.

"Philip and Gordon created a donations page through Facebook to raise money for next year for the annual event to keep going - following the success of last weekend's event.

"Within five hours, £667 was raised. The committee are hoping to raise £3,000 by September, and we are already overwhelmed and very thankful.

"The committee are extremely grateful for the help of Philip and Gordon, as without them through Facebook and Crowdfunder, none of the money would have been raised for next year's carnival - which might not have happened."

Philip Edmundson, who is also a councillor on Bewdley Town Council, added: "Bewdley Carnival means a great deal to me and has done since I was a boy.

"I know the committee that runs it have been struggling for funds, volunteers and support.

"Gordon and I talked about what we could do with the Facebook group 'This is Bewdley'. I had made some posts on the day of the carnival and was overwhelmed by the number of views - four posts across the day received over 3,000 views.

"I spoke with Angie Pitt, a stalwart of the carnival committee, and we decided to make the Facebook Live post to generate interest and some funds.

"Generating almost £1,000 in two days has been amazing and shows both the love of the carnival and the power of social media."

To donate to the Crowdfunder page to help Bewdley Carnival continue in 2018, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/bewdley-carnival-2018-1.