HUNDREDS of fun-lovers gave it some real wellie for charity at an annual two-day festival over the weekend.

A highlight of the fifth Whitecroft Wellie at the Miners Arms saw a whopping £575 bid for a pair of ceramic wellies made by Parkend artist Mary Rose Young, while more than 20 bands and singers played for free to keep people dancing throughout Saturday and Sunday.

“We are still reeling from an epic weekend,” said festival spokesman Mario Constantinides afterwards. “I promise to update and say a proper thank you to all in the next few days when I get my bearings back!

“Many thanks to all the volunteers, the local residents, the sponsors and those who came and contributed to such a great atmosphere.”

Organisers are still counting how much has been raised for Forest Pulse, the charity which helps children with disabilities and their families.

And Mario added: “We’re still counting the cash – we’re over £2,000 and would love to hit £3,000, so if you didn’t get to put cash in the bucket, we’ve still got it on the bar of the Miners and would love you to contribute.

“At the end, Paralympic star Andy Lewis also donated his super wellies painted by Chepstow artist Rachel Shilston depicting him at Rio 2016, which we’re still auctioning, so please make a bid for those to help push up the total.”

Activities at the free event also included wellie painting, a bouncy castle, a magician, games, a kids’ tent and face-painting.

Head chef John Ella added: “It was massive fun, and I reckon I sold over a thousand burgers. The bands were great and people were even dancing in the rain, which only appeared for a while on Saturday night.”

You can contact Mario to donate or bid by emailing

[email protected] or via the Whitecroft Wellie page and Miners Arms on Facebook.