➤ New first citizen launches ambitious house-building project
> CLAIRE HARRISON REPORTS:
BUILDING a house for homeless young people is the mission of Nuneaton and Bedworth’s determined new mayor.
First citizen, Councillor Chris Watkins has launched one of the most ambitious civic appeals yet – to build a house for Doorway, the Nuneaton-based charity that helps homeless young people.
He said that it could not come at a more poignant time: “It is 21 years of Doorway, 21 is the key to the door, what we are aiming to do is to build Doorway’s first property.
“But this is not just about building a house, it is about raising awareness of Doorway and the work that they do.
“This is for Nuneaton and Bedworth, some people have not heard about Doorway and what they do there, it is about raising awareness to those who might be struggling or might need advice, that they are there.
Carol Gallagher, chief executive of Doorway, which is based in Dugdale Street, could not contain her delight about being the beneficiary of the civic appeal – and potentially seeing a dream to own a property come true.
It is not the first time that Doorway has been chosen to benefit from a year in office as past mayor, former councillor Bill Sheppard, chose the charity as one of four good causes.
“We have been lucky to have been supported by a mayor’s appeal in the past and we cannot thank the new mayor enough for choosing us and helping us to potentially get our first ever property, it would mean so much to us.”
The mayor already has fundraising events lined up, with funds to be donated to the appeal during the ‘Run for Nepal,’ the annual run which will this year be held on Sunday, June 3, at Sandon Park in Weddington.
Landlocked is also hosting a two-day summer festival at Nuneaton Rugby Club on June 15 and 16.
Mick Emanuele, the owner of La Tavola Calda restaurant, continued his incredible tradition of supporting the mayor’s appeal, now totalling 39 years, by lending his support and kicking the appeal off with a cheque.
Tim Norton, manager at the Civic Hall in Bedworth, also pledged to hold a collection during a matinee of the forthcoming pantomime Aladdin as well as a race night, charity quiz and a dedicated charity show.
Brian Leathley-Andrews of the Bedworth Lions Club said they too would host a charity Motown night and Treeve Sperrin of Sperrin Brewery offered collection tins and events at their venues, including the Lord Nelson and the Blue Boar, and members of the Nuneaton Business Alliance also pledged to hold events to raise funds.
Famed for his tenacity in ensuring new equipment was secured at Stockingford ‘Rec and improvements made to his Kingswood ward, the new mayor concluded: “It is about getting the word out now, I really, really want it to work and anyone who knows me knows that I won’t stop until I get it.”