A CHARITY fun day which started as a one off but is now a Halesowen institution is celebrating its tenth year this weekend.

In 2004 a group of friends who wanted to raise cash for local charities and organised a charity cricket match and party at Halesowen Cricket Club and have now raised over £14,000 for good causes.

After a successful first three years Andrew Smith and his friends were then inspired to cement their fundraising activities after the death of their friend Paul McCann in 2007.

The Halesowen submariner was killed in an accident onboard the submarine HMS Tireless during manoeuvres, he was just 32-years-old.

The Paul McCann Fund For Needy Children was set up in his honour and the annual fun day has contributed since 2008.

Claire Daniels, who is helping organise this year's fundraising day at Halesowen Cricket Club on Bank Holiday Sunday, said: "This is our tenth year and we wanted it to be bigger and better than before.

"We usually raise £1,500 each year which we donate to The Paul McCann Fund For Needy Children and other good causes.

"This year we are also donating money to Mary Stevens Hospice, The Richard Bearmont Association and The Alzheimers Association."

Sunday's festivities will start with a friendly cricket match and there will be a barbecue, stalls selling a variety of products and a cake competition.

Claire added: "The day will be great as we have more stallholders than ever before and then at 6pm the entertainment will start which will be a great party.

"We have the best prizes yet for our raffle and want as many local people to turn up and enjoy themselves for some great causes."

Prizes include £100 cash, cricket memorabilia, meal for two, six tickets to Monmore Green, West Midlands Safari Park passes and Blackpool Pleasure Beach wristbands.