Shawclough & Healey February 2018

The
Mayor’s & Mayoress’
Charities 2018
Firstly, I must emphasise what an honour it is to represent our unique
borough of some 214,000 people. Something I remind myself of ever day.
I must also thank my wife Christine for her support and injection of female common
sense and empathy. We are a true team.
Our mayoral year began with a wonderful mayor making ceremony surrounded by
friends and family quickly followed by a jolt when we woke up in a London hotel the
morning we were going to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party to discover
22 young people had been killed in a bomb attack in Manchester. All of a sudden
eating sandwiches on the lawn at Buckingham Palace seamed inappropriate and
unimportant. We decided to travel back home but were directed to go straight to the
vigil at Manchester Town Hall to represent Rochdale Borough at that moving and
unforgettable event.
The bread and butter of being the mayor is visiting community organisations, charities
and businesses throughout the borough and what an education this has proved to be.
I wish everyone could see the myriad of great things local people achieve everyday,
often for little reward, if any. It really is a heart warming experience.
One of the most important functions of the mayoralty is to raise money for local
charities. This year we’ve chosen Springhill Hospice, Cancer Research, The Christie,
and Heartbeat, which supports people who experience heart problems. We have also
chosen to support Rochdale Shopmobility who provide mobility aids to visitors to our
town and RCT a truly wonderful organisation that turns around the lives of people who
are enduring many traumas and are desperate for any help or support.
The money towards these charities will come from the mayor’s and mayoress’
charities events.
All the events are to be held in Rochdale Town Hall.
For more details or to obtain tickets/enter the quiz, ring the Mayor’s office
on 01706 924773 or e-mail dorothy.johnstone@rochdale.gov.uk
I hope local residents will support them; it’s an enjoyable way to support worthy causes.
Thank You Streetwise for this opportunity. May I wish all your readers a Happy and
peaceful New Year.
Councillor Ian Duckworth
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