The Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn presented local charities and organisations with the money raised from the Mayor’s Charity Fund at a special presentation held at the historic Haworth Art Gallery on Friday 17th May.
Over £17,000 was handed out to six local causes including Jeffrey’s Battle with Battens Disease, Milly’s Smiles, Accrington Stanley Women, Derian House, East Lancashire Hospice and Motiv8-lancs CIC.
The funds were raised throughout the Mayor’s year in office, including at the Mayor of Hyndburn’s Charity Ball in February which saw over £15,000 raised at Accrington Stanley’s world-class hospitality venue. A number of local businesses and individuals supported the event generously on the night, which included an auction featuring hospitality tickets for sports matches and concerts, plus much more.
The Mayor’s chosen charities all received £5,000 each, including Milly’s Smiles, a local group that works to support children newly diagnosed with a cancer-related illness; Jeffrey’s Battle with Battens Disease, a crowdfunded effort to help a little boy keep going despite his illness; and Accrington Stanley Women, who serve as an admirable source of female empowerment for all, with over 220 players.
Having raised more funds than initially expected, the Mayor and Mayoress were able to reach out to even more charities, presenting each with a cheque for £720 at the special presentation ceremony.
These included: East Lancashire Hospice, which for 40 years has been continuously providing a special way of caring for people suffering from life-limiting illnesses; Derian House Children’s Hospice, who provide respite and end-of-life care to more than 400 babies, children and young people across the North West; and Motiv8-lancs CIC, a small Day Care Provider founded in 2013, offering daytime activities for adults living with Asperger’s syndrome, physical disabilities, autism or learning disabilities.
Mayor Terry Hurn said: “We have had a fantastic year meeting some really wonderful people and we are really proud to have ended our year as Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn by presenting funds to so many incredible local causes, all of which are very close to our hearts.
“It was wonderful to welcome representatives from each of the chosen causes to the beautiful Haworth Art Gallery, where we were able to handover the cheques and enjoy a delicious buffet.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us in raising over £17,000, including those who have helped us organise events, those who have donated and also everyone who has been there for us over the last year, thank you.”
