The bustling Wye Wednesday Market at the Larruperz Centre, enjoyed a mayoral visit in support of its fundraising drive for the Ukraine appeal.

Mayor of Ross-on-Wye Ed O’Driscoll visited the Wednesday market on Grammar School Close, August 3, to lend his support to fundraising for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

He told the Gazette: “I was delighted to attend this great local initiative. Ross has taken the plight of Ukraine to its heart and fundraising events like the coffee morning help to galvanise support across the community while raising valuable funds. They have my full support.”

The market, which was established this year, has been gaining a good momentum with people queuing to get in. A total of £127 was raised on the day for the cause. The cash will go to KTS Crafts who have raised an incredible amount of money for Ukraine, as well as sending over a substantial number of trucks loaded up with aid.

The day was so successful that organiser Michelle Gardiner has decided to make the first market of every month a fundraising event, for a different charity every time; the next fundraiser week will be for Dementia UK. The plan is to bolster the effectiveness of the event by supporting local businesses as well as a charitable cause at the same time.

The next market is August 17 and is already fully booked with vendors, some returning from previous weeks with a number of new sellers thrown in. Michelle makes an effort to keep a rotation of a limited number of new stalls every time as well as a good number of regular sellers, so that there’ll always be something new for weekly visitors as well as an stalls where they can pick up produce on a more regular basis.

The market’s next charity coffee morning will be on September 7. Each stall holder gets a say in choosing a charity of their choice.

Michelle said: “This one will be in aid of Dementia UK, this is particularly close to my heart as I lost my mum last November to this cruel disease. We will be selling teas, coffee, squash, and bottled water; as well as tray bakes, cakes, and cookies. There will be a seating area in the bar for people to sit and enjoy.”