Mayor: I’m raising cash for four top causes
THE new Mayor of West Lancashire will support four fantastic causes during her year in office.
Cllr Liz Savage and her Consort, Cllr Noel Delaney, will raise funds for the neo-natal unit at Ormskirk Hospital; the Artz Centre, Birch Green; The Civic, in Ormskirk; and the Birchwood Centre in Skelmersdale.
A programme of fundraising events is being planned over the next 12 months.
One of the first will be an Irish Night at The Civic on Friday, June 24, with Michael Coyne, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10, including hot-pot, can be booked by calling 01695 585 033.
Cllr Savage said: “Noel and I will be working with our charity committee to raise as much money as we can for our local worthy causes.
“We are very excited about the task of fundraising that lies ahead and we hope the people of West Lancashire will get behind us.”
The neo-natal unit at Ormskirk Hospital provides lifesaving care for babies born prematurely or who are sick after birth. Over the past 12 months, it has helped 381 vulnerable newborns.
The Birchwood Centre provides a number of services for young people, aged between 13 and 25 who are at risk of homelessness, ranging from temporary accommodation to helping young people keep their tenancies. Over the past three years, the centre has supported about 600 young people.
Cllr Savage said: “The neo-natal unit helps families at one of their most worrying times, and I really wanted to help the lifesaving work that they do.
“Helping the homeless has long been a passion of mine, so when I heard about the great work of the Birchwood Centre I knew this was one of the charities I had to support.”
The Civic is the new name for Ormskirk Civic Hall, which is now managed by Liz Wainwright and Gemma Briscoe, two members of theatre group Ormskirk Pleasure Folk.
They have set up Ormskirk Civic Hall CIC to take on management of the building to ensure it remains available for community use, as well as hosting private functions.
The Artz Centre provides a wide range of classes and sessions to around 250 young people aged between two and 21, including drama, singing and dance. The centre is looking to expand its services to help even more young people.
Cllr Savage said: “The Artz Centre does excellent work with young people and could do even more with extra equipment.
“So it seemed an ideal venture to support. The Civic Hall was an integral part of my childhood, having performed there and attended events, so, with having such fond memories, I feel it’s important we do everything we can to keep this historic building in use.”
For more information about the Mayor’s work, visit www.westlancs.gov. uk/mayor