Edwinstowe-based construction firm Robert Woodhead expects to smash its £25,593 fundraising target as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations.

The company has planned fundraising activities, including sponsored bike rides, sponsored swims, a charity fete and a charity ball, to raise money for The Prince’s Trust and St Mary’s Church, Edwinstowe, to mark the company milestone by raising a pound for every day it has been in business.

Woodhead held a Masquerade Ball at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel, with more than 300 people attending.

Hosted by Tom Woodhead, with a speech from Prince’s Trust ambassador and international rugby star Leon Lloyd, the event raised more than £15,000, taking the amount collected so far to £24,890.

Robert Woodhead Ltd began in 1946 when local joiner, Bob Woodhead, returned from National Service to take over his Uncle Ernest’s joinery shop in Edwinstowe, following his death in the war.

Starting with a motorbike, some hand tools and a sidebox, Robert Woodhead Ltd was born.

Now a multi-million pound company, Woodhead is a far cry from that small workshop, but the business still has its roots in Edwinstowe and is run by Bob’s children and grandchildren.

David Woodhead, managing director of Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “Our 70th year is a huge milestone for the business and we’ve been delighted to have had so much support in celebrating it. It was important to us not to let this year pass without seizing the opportunity to do something beneficial to our local community and a charity that represents so much we ourselves believe in.

“I’m very grateful to all those working within our business, and those sponsors and supporters who have made it possible for us to raise such a fantastic running total for these two worthwhile causes. We’re now determined now to smash our fundraising target and do even better.”

Pictured is Margaret Woodhead (Robert Woodhead’s widow), left, with her children, managing director David Woodhead, and Hilary Cheshire, company director, at the ball.