Residents living on a Blackwood street have raised more than £4,000 through socially distanced bingo evenings held during the coronavirus lockdown.

The weekly events were organised by residents of William Street and began after an off-the-cuff remark made by a resident during VE Day celebrations in May.

The bingo was held in the street every Sunday, with the final event held on August 23.

In the first street bingo, around £200 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. From there, residents set themselves a target of raising £1,000.

The event grew, with raffles and bake sales contributing to the fundraising efforts.

Speakers were set up around the street so residents, sat outside their houses, could hear the numbers being called.

The bingo evenings were organised by residents Paul Corcoran, Kay Haynes, Sam Jarrett, Carol Williams, Alison March and Stacey Hoskin.

Mr Corcoran said: “We aimed for £1,000, then £2,000 but we never thought we’d make it past £3,000, yet we ended up raising more than £4,000.

“I’m really chuffed. Everyone has done their bit and it’s brought people together.

“People who didn’t know each other before now know each other’s names.”

Mr Corcoran said the bingo also allowed people who were shielding to interact with neighbours outdoors while social distancing.

Resident Kay Haynes said that despite the bingo taking place each week, the number of residents taking part didn’t fall.

She said: “There’s about 80 houses in the street, and around 40 houses took part. People had their deck chairs and stayed out for hours.”

Ms Haynes, who has lived on William Street her whole life, said the bingo could restart again next summer.

The final bingo evening was held on Sunday, August 23, with £1,675 raised through the raffle on that day alone.

In total, more than 1,600 raffle tickets were sold throughout lockdown.

Prizes such as televisions, hotel stays, lunches, vouchers, alcohol and more were up for grabs during the final raffle.

Around £500 each has been donated to eight different charities, including Welsh Air Amublance, the Stroke Association and the breast cancer unit planned to open at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach.

Money has also been donated to C.R.Y (Cardiac Risk in the Young), through the Jack Thomas memorial fund, as well as Cascade foodbank.