A NEW fundraising and campaigning group for Oxfam has been set up in Ely, and members hope to raise at least £2,000 for the charity in 2013.

The group carried out a morning rush-hour collection at Ely station in December to get them up and running and they managed to raise £75, with a further collection due to take place at the Sainsbury’s in Ely on January 5.

The group is also planning to organise larger fund-raising events, as well as simply rattling collecting-buckets.

Mandy Castle, Oxfam’s emergency response co-ordinator for Ely, said:“We’re looking for people to join the group, who are interested in overseas development and who can spare a few hours from time to time to help organise events

“Our fund-raising target for 2013 is £2,000, that would, for example, enable Oxfam to build two classrooms in villages in Ghana, so that children don’t face a 10-mile trek to school, but we’re planning to have fun while we do it, and to create fun events for other people.”

Anyone interested in joining the group, or who would like further information, can contact Ms Castle at oxfamemergencyely@gmail.com.