THE OH Festival is set to return for the fifth year running and is set to attract thousands to Old Hill.

The festival, which stands for Old Hill and Our Heroes, has raised over £25,000 for charities since the first event in 2009.

This year’s OH Festival will be held on Saturday, July 13 at Spring Meadow and will include a military march, live music, games and motorcycles.

Lisa Saunders, who is helping organise the event, said: “This year’s event will be a right Royal Jamboree and be even bigger and better with more attractions, a fun fair and live bands on stage day and night.

“We are involving the local community, schools, the British Legion Veteran Motorcyclists, the cadets and have the support of Sandwell Council, the local police and fire service.”

Each year festival organisers, Dave Saunders, Dave Quinton, Lisa Saunders and Paul Evans, pick a different charity to benefit from the fundraising efforts on the day.

Good causes which have benefited included a charity which benefits military families, Selly Oak Hospital Military Ward, armed service families respite centre Norton House, underprivileged families from Old Hill who were taken on holidays and local injured Afghan veteran Luke Hemming.

Miss Saunders said: “This year we are currently liaising with the QE to support injured military with sight related problems.

“We are also supporting the venue of the OH Festival which is Spring Meadow Social Club which dates back to the 1970s and in the current economic climate is in need of much needed and vital repairs.

“We are therefore allocating 50 per cent of the money raised to ensure the leaking roof is refurbished to ensure the success of its future.”

She added: “Spring Meadow Social Club is a local club that we need to stay open to ensure we can continue with the OH Festival and a venue the local community can still utilise.”

The festival will open with a military march through Old Hill which includes veterans, serving forces and cadets plus street entertainers.

The procession will lead to the Spring Meadow Social Club where a stage will host a variety of bands through the afternoon and a traditional fete and fun fair will also be in attendance.

There is an open forum meeting about the OH Festival on Thursday, June 20 at 7pm at Spring Meadow Social Club.