THE oldest collector at Wellington Carnival, 94-year-old Pearly Queen Madge Covey, has received a donation from the event to a cause she supports.

Carnival Queen Leona Jolly presented a cheque to Madge for the Hospital of Sir John Popham. Madge spends most of Carnival day in the town collecting for Carnival’s worthwhile causes in all weathers.

Carnival committee chairman Dave Rylatt said: “She is an inspiration to us all – every year she collects around £200, which is an amazing amount from any individual. Some of the collection trailers only just manage to collect this amount – we could do with a few more people like Mrs Covey.”

Madge is already looking forward to helping out at Wellington Street Fair on Sunday, June 5, where she usually helps the committee selling raffle tickets.

Another donation was made to Chris Salter following her participation in the Carnival’s 50/50 abseil at the end of February. Chris raised £400, of which half has been given to Tearfund. Chris and her husband John have been raising awareness of the Christian relief and development agency, which helps to end poverty and rebuild poor communities, through Wellington Baptist Church.

Chris said: “John gave a little talk in church about the Tearfund and explained that I had done the abseil to raise funds for Tearfund’s No Child Taken appeal which has protected nearly 100,000 from trafficking, disease and disaster. The response was just amazing, people were so generous.”

Wellington Carnival Committee has launched its annual Royalty Competition, sponsored once again by Unwin Photography. The pageant is slightly different to previous years as the committee is looking for a King, Queen, Prince and Princess.

It will take place on Sunday, June 26 – entry forms are available online, at the WWN’s office or by e-mailing wellingtoncarnival

@gmx.com. Entries must be returned by Saturday, June 18, to be in with a chance of winning a magical Somerset-style Royal experience.