A SPRING fair at a Cradley church raised more than £400 to help buy disabled buggies for orphans in Bulgaria.

The fundraiser at the town’s Baptist church proved a popular draw last Saturday, with visitors spending on the stalls and tucking into cream teas.

Jill Ditchfield, who has been raising money to help the orphanage for six years, said the target of £2,400 had been reached, thanks to the fair.

The money will buy three buggies for the severely disabled youngsters, who are expected to spend their lives at the orphanage.

It was the first time the church had held a spring fair and Mrs Ditchfield said it was so successful they are already planning a Christmas fair.

The 60-year-old, of Hillcrest Avenue, Halesowen, started helping the orphanage after her mother and sister moved to Bulgaria.

The church has been supporting her fundraising for three years and, although her mother has since died, she visits her sister twice a year and will take them the buggies in the autumn.

Mrs Ditchfield, who is also a prolific knitter, raises money with table top sales and car boot sales.

She will be selling her hand-knitted babywear in the Cornbow Shopping Centre on Saturday July 26 and Saturday August 23, with the proceeds going towards next year’s fundraising for the orphanage.