24 June 2009, 09/125
Mayor’s plea to support
charities
Two charities will benefit from the fundraising efforts of West
Lancashire Borough Council’s new Mayor during his year in
office.
Councillor Geoff Roberts, who was elected West Lancashire’s
first ever Mayor, following the Council being given new borough
status on 20th May, has picked two charities to raise money for
that are close to his heart.
He has chosen the West Lancashire Parkinson’s Disease Society
after a couple of close friends passed away through this
neurological condition that occurs as a result of loss of nerve
cells in a part of the brain and affects movements such as walking,
talking and writing.
Geoff also wants to use his year as Mayor to help fundraise for
Mencap West Lancashire - the voice of learning disability. The
charity works with people with learning disabilities to change laws
and services, challenge prejudice and directly support thousands of
people to live their lives as they choose.
He said: "Myself and my wife Eileen have always supported
Springfield Court Nursing Home for some considerable time, where
many residents suffer from Parkinson’s. Also, we sadly had to watch
a couple of our friends suffer from the disease for many years
before they passed away. We have since found out that the charity
does not have any national supporters and must be self-sufficient
so we felt that we wanted to support them, especially as it’s the
charity’s 40th anniversary this year. Mencap is again
self-sufficient and does a lot of good work in the community in
supporting people with learning disabilities lead fulfilling lives.
Therefore, we wanted to ensure that these local charities could
continue their vital work in helping others.
"I’d urge the people of West Lancashire to give generously to my
chosen charities during my year in office or organise fundraising
events to help such worthwhile causes."
Representatives from the two charities will be meeting the Mayor
and Mayoress today (24 June) to talk about their work.
If you would like to make a donation or want to organise a
fundraising event to raise money for the Mayor’s charities, please
contact Ann England on 01695 585033.
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