Telford couple toast 25 years with £25,000 challenge
A couple from Telford are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary after an eight month-long £25,000 fundraising campaign to mark their special day.
Gill and Chandra Davda, of Allscott, Telford, earlier this year embarked on a quest to raise £1,000 for each year of their marriage in aid of local charities.
The couple, who celebrate their special day on October 18, were congratulated on their anniversary by Severn Hospice and Hope House, the two charities who are set to benefit from their efforts.
Gill and Chandra, who have four children, have organised with help of friends and neighbours a range of different fundraising activities since March to pull in the pounds for charity.
Events have included a rowing challenge at Jim Mostyn rowing club at Wrekin College, a cycling marathon, a Bollywood night, the three peaks walk, a dinner dance and bucket collections.
Chandra, aged 59, and Gill, aged 47, have now added up the funds raised and can confirm that the overall amount raised without the gift aid supplement is £27,500.
Chandra said: “We wanted to do something a bit different to mark our silver wedding anniversary so we thought we would set ourselves the challenge of raising £1,000 for every year we’ve been married and having lived in Shropshire for over 30 years wanted to give the county something in return.
“We’ve had a fantastic time organising some wonderful events. We’ve been amazed at the support we’ve received and it’s been lovely to see how the various activities have brought our local community together.
“We would like to thank everyone who has helped us over the past eight months, without their support it would not have been possible to raise such a huge amount.”
Mike Perry, Severn Hospice’s community fundraising advisor, said: “Our congratulations and thanks go to Gill and Chandra on their special day.
“They have dedicated a lot of time and effort to raising money for local causes such as ours and for that we are incredibly grateful.
“We are delighted Gill and Chandra have chosen to donate half of the money raised to our hospice. Their efforts will help us to carry on providing loving care and support to people across Shropshire and Mid Wales who are living with incurable illnesses.”
Gill and Chandra held a party at Hadley Park Hotel on October 16 to toast their anniversary, where they presented a cheque for £13,750 each to Severn Hospice and Hope House.
