Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Charities to benefit from fundraising year
Two good causes are set to share more than £27,000 raised through the Lady Mayoress of Canterbury’s charity appeal.
The donations mark a triumphant culmination to the year for Lillian Metcalfe, who supported her husband George during his time in office as civic head.
She chose to raise money for Age UK in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable, and the city-based Catching Lives, which helps the homeless.
Her last fundraiser was the traditional Lady Mayoress’s charity ride in which 36 cyclists rode 155 miles from Calais to Ypres over three days, with the civic couple accompanying them in one of the support vehicles.
But, never one to duck a challenge themselves, the couple volunteered for the most hair-raising of experiences – the fastest zip wire ride in the UK in North Wales.
Mrs Metcalfe said: “We had an extraordinary year and my committee has worked tirelessly to help organise numerous fundraising events.
“The charities I chose to benefit also helped enormously. James Duff from Catching Lives was a member of my committee and a willing volunteer for all sorts of duties.
“The three Age UK centres also stepped up. In Canterbury, they hosted a strawberry tea, Whitstable held a wine and wisdom, and Herne Bay organised a bonfire lunch in November.”
One of the highlights of Mrs Metcalfe’s fundraising year was a Ladies of the District Lunch in a marquee in the gardens of the Crescent Turner Hotel in Whitstable, which raised £3,000.
Mrs Metcalfe said: “George was surprised that no one seemed to recognise him as Lord Mayor without his chain of office.
“He decided he would donate £10 to the Lady Mayoress’s Charity for every person who did so and he duly paid £170.”
The new Lady Mayoress, Jenny Yonge, has chosen to raise money for Porchlight and the Pilgrims Hospice.