Mayor’s £17,500 charities boost
COUN ALAN EMERSON HANDS OUT MONEY AFTER YEAR IN OFFICE TO LOCAL WORTHY CAUSES
Last year’s mayor of Sunderland has handed more than £17,500 to worthy causes after his 12 months in the role.
Every mayor during their term of office can nominate charities to benefit from their fundraising activities at civic events.
Last year’s mayor, Coun Alan Emerson, chose St Benedict’s Hospice, Sunderland Headlight mental health charity and Diabetes UK.
Coun Emerson invited representatives from all three charities into the Mayor’s Parlour to receive their cheques with an equal share of the final fundraising total, which was £17,500.
He said said: “I would like to thank everyone I met during my term of office for their kindness and support, and for their generosity during our fundraising which raised so much money for fantastic charities in our community.
“I was delighted to be able to support these chariof ties during my term of office, and pleased to invite them into the civic centre to present them with their cheques.”
Senior support worker at Headlight Monica Saddington, said: “We feel privileged to have been chosen as one the mayor’s charities for a year, and are absolutely delighted that Councillor Emerson believes in the work that we do to support individuals in the community, who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
“As a small local charity we have been given the opportunity to raise our profile and receive a massive contribution, which will substantially help us to continue to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“We would like to express that the funds raised means so much to Sunderland Headlight and thank everyone involved in supporting us.”
Chairman of St Benedict’s Hospice Derek Moss added: “Councillor Emerson has been a tremendous supporter of the hospice over many years, and we all worked well together at charitable fundraising events throughout his term of office.”
Louise Simonian, who is regional fundraiser for Diabetes UK, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the mayor’s charities for the year and would like to thank everyone involved in fundraising efforts over the past 12 months.
“The money that has been raised will be invested in local projects to make a real difference to the lives of the more than 15,000 people living with diabetes in Sunderland, helping us to achieve our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”