KIND-HEARTED members of Quinton Methodist Church have raised a record £17,000 for charity this year.

The Ridgacre Avenue church picks a charity each year to fundraise for and in 2016 chose Halesowen's Downs Syndrome charity Ups n Downs.

On Sunday the church handed over the whopping £17,000 cheque to the founder of Ups n Downs Jemma Sagar.

This is in addition to £550 which was raised by auctioning a donated signed Rugby Shirt by England’s victorious team in Australia this summer.

Quinton Methodist Church's publicity officer Helena Taylor is delighted with the final total.

She said: "This is the most money we have ever raised for our annual charity and every penny will be used by Up n Downs who provide opportunities for families to meet other families in similar situations.

"They offer fun family sessions at Quinton Methodist Church and a large range of experiences for the children and their families."

She added: "It all helps families to feel less isolated and provides fun sessions to share with their children and gain new and exciting experiences."

Halesowen mother Miss Sagar started Ups n Downs in 2012 and now the charity helps over the 30 families in the area.

The church raised the cash through several projects including the Quinton Arts and Crafts Show which attracts hundreds of visitors every May.

This year's was the 15th show, and the biggest ever, which included 300 paintings and drawings from artists all over the West Midlands and displays of wood crafts, weaving, handmade jewellery, ceramics, greetings cards of every description, needlework and textile printing.