Endurance marathon runner Adam Holland has helped out Wellington Majorettes with a special gift.

The majorettes have been raising money through clothes collections and Adam, who has taken part in marathons all over the country for the last 20 years, handed over more than 250 T-shirts he has picked up after seeing the majorettes’ fundraising request on Facebook.

Majorettes team leader Louise Brierley said the response to the clothes and shoe collection running over July and August has been fantastic. The team had already raised £320 and the collection will continue for the foreseeable future.

The clothes are collected and sorted, some items given to charities to be sold or re-used, some sent abroad and what is not reusable is recycled. The majorettes receive a percentage of the value of all the items donated.

Louise said: “Everyone has been so supportive – it not only helps our team but helps other charities and organisations. Parents have been fantastic, taking deliveries and making collections. The donations have been coming in from all areas – it’s amazing how many clothes we all have – or don’t have – anymore!”

If anyone would like to give clothes, shoes, bags, belts or soft toys they can be dropped on the doorstep at 23 Drakes Park, Wellington TA21 8TB or contact the group via [email protected]

The majorettes have been unable to meet for five months due to the Covid-19 pandemic but they have had weekly online meetings via Zoom. That has included guess the family quiz, bingo, scavenger hunts and, the favourite, a Majorette baby contest where members sent in a baby photo and had to guess who it was.

Fundraising has been extremely difficult, events where the team perform have all been cancelled for the year and the popular prize bingo events have had to be postponed.

In June, the committee sold golden tickets online to local supporters and 168 tickets were sold. The winner, Gillian Atkinson, received half of the collection, £84, and the majorettes benefited from the other half.

Louise said: “The committee are hoping to be able to get small groups to meet up for training sessions in September – hopefully, some normality will resume once the children return to school. But until then we would like to thank everyone in Wellington and the surrounding areas for their continued support and we hope to be back performing soon.”