PEOPLE braved the heavy downpours to help raise much-needed funds for a Malvern charity.

The mayor’s annual Bonanza in Priory Park was hit by last weekend’s rain but it didn’t dampen the spirits of organisers or those its proceeds will go towards.

“Given the weather we’ve had a lot of visitors,”

said town mayor Julian Roskams. “It takes a brave person to come out in this but we’ve had a few. It’s been a year in the organising. We’ve had weeks of good weather with the heatwave and then this. But they have still turned up.”

He said proceeds would go to his mayoral charity for the year, Malvern Special Families, which aims to provide social opportunities for children and young people with disabilities. They are a local charity providing help for about 100 families,” added the mayor. “I think they do incredible work.

“It’s a really difficult time to be a charity. They perhaps don’t get the recognition others do but they deserve to.”

Among the attractions were face painting, a carousel and live music.

Margaret Buchanan, vice-chairman of the charity’s trustees, said events like this are vital to the group, which was set up 25 years ago.

“With the proceeds from events like this we hope to increase the amount of schemes on offer to youngsters as well as being able to bring in specialist play equipment,” she said.