AFTER a year of fundraising, the outgoing Mayor of Westbury, Stephen Andrews, presented two local charities with cheques to help towards the good work they do in the community.
At the beginning of his mayoral year, Stephen selected Carer Support Wiltshire and Westbury Welfare of the Elderly Association as the charities he and the Mayoress, Mary Andrews, would be raising money for.
“Both of these charities do an immense amount of good and very often unseen work for the Westbury community and I have been delighted to support them this year,” he told White Horse News.
The Mayor met with representatives from both charities at a short presentation ceremony at The Laverton on Friday 28th April. Stephen said, “I am delighted to present cheques totalling £4,338 which has been divided equally between my two charities which I have been supporting during my Mayoral year.
“I would like to thank all those people who have helped with the fund raising, particularly my wife Mary, the Mayoress, who took the lead in organising these events. I would also like to thank all those people and organisations who gave so generously to help me raise this fantastic amount of money.”
The money has been raised by holding events such as a quiz night and an auction, together with various raffles. Money was also raised from the sale of the Mayor’s calendar which was made up of photographs sent in by residents of Westbury.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of Carer Support Wiltshire was chief executive Catharine Hurford and trustee for the charity, James Minett. Catharine said, “The money will go towards our Time for Carers Appeal, which aims to provide more practical support for carers in the area, helping them to take more breaks.”
Communications manager of the charity, Jules Stanbridge said, “The Time For Carers Appeal is raising £25,000 to give unpaid carers a break of their choice, time to do all the things we take for granted. This could be something like, the chance to take the kids to a football match, to keep fit, be active or take up a hobby, Perhaps spending time with friends and family or enjoying some precious ‘me’ time or even help with practical tasks around the house and garden.
Representing the Westbury Welfare of the Elderly Association, chairman Sue Ezra said, “The money will go towards the continuous work to maintain and update the building where so many important activities are held like Movement for the Mind and the Memory Cafe, for people living with dementia and their carers.”
The cheque presentation was one of Stephen’s last duties as Mayor of Westbury to carry out. Reflecting on the mayoral year he said, “I am sad that the year is coming to an end, but I have really enjoyed it. I have met some fantastic people and have been to some fantastic places.”
