VOLUNTEERS working with the Canal & River Trust charity near Bradford on Avon are celebrating after a community group donated £2,500 to support their work.

The generous donation of £2,500 was made by the Bradford on Avon Secret Gardens Group to help support the volunteers who look after the local Kennet & Avon Canal.

The money will be used to help the Trust care for the canal and to also fund special projects such as the ongoing works to restore and rebuild the Hen Orchard stone wall next to the historic Tithe Barn.

Mark Evans, Canal & River Trust waterway manager, said: “As a relatively new charity we need people to support us, whether that’s volunteering your time or donating money.

“This donation will be used by our team of amazing volunteers who dedicate their spare time helping us keep the Kennet & Avon Canal a lovely place to visit for the thousands of people who head to the waterways each year.”

Derrick Hunt, volunteer at Bradford on Avon, said: “I’m delighted that Bradford on Avon Secret Gardens Group have donated this money to support the work we’re doing. All the volunteers love being along the waterway and helping the Canal & River Trust care for it, so it’s great that this work has been recognised locally.

“We have strong community support from local businesses such as Cumberwell Park Golf Club who have helped us with donations of stone and loan of equipment.

“The co-operation of the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust has been vital to the project as we have our work compound on their land. Some of the donation will be spent on landscaping the orchard when we finish.

“We are always looking for new people to help us with our work so if anyone is interested in joining the team, learning new skills and making new friends then please get in touch.”

For more information on the Canal & River Trust, including how you can volunteer and donate money towards its work, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk