Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor helps to raise more than £15,000 for local good causes

During the 12-month period Councillor Steve Watkins was in office, he raised thousands of pounds for his chosen charities – Help for Heroes, Saltbox and National Literacy Trust Stoke-on-Trent.

 A range of fundraising activities took place throughout the year, including a 1920s-themed afternoon tea and the publication of a children’s book written by former Lady Mayoress, Councillor Lynn Watkins. The book offers a cats-eye view of the Lord Mayor’s year in office and proved a popular with children and families across the city.

 Cllr Steve Watkins, former Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said:

“It’s been a real honour to serve as Lord Mayor and to support three such important charities.

 “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who attended events, bought the book or made a donation. Your generosity has made a genuine difference and will help these organisations continue their vital work.”

 Dean Williams, community fundraising manager at Help For Heroes said,

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Councillors Steve and Lynn Watkins for nominating Help for Heroes as one of their worthy causes to support over the past year.

 “Veterans have fought all over the world trying to help establish peace and many of them are struggling to find peace themselves now. This donation will go a long way in helping to fund our cause, it could be put to numerous uses but just a couple of examples would be: 11 veterans could be supported by a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner or 21 veterans could receive financial relief with a one-off grant for gas, electric or essential white goods.

 “This donation will give those veterans one less battle to fight, thank you.”

Linda Smith, operations manager at Money Matters and Carelink, said:

“We are so grateful at Saltbox to have been chosen as one of the Lord Mayor’s charities this year. We will use this generous donation towards the ongoing running costs of our Carelink service which supports older people who are struggling with loneliness and isolation.

 “We do this through our telephone befriending service, where dedicated volunteers make weekly keep-in-touch calls to our beneficiaries who may otherwise not speak to anyone during the week.

 “We also run 5 weekly Chatty Cafes across the city, and run monthly trips to a wide variety of venues near and far.”

 Lois Bateman, Hub Manager for the National Literacy Trust in Stoke-on-Trent, said:

“It has been a true privilege to be chosen as one of the Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year.

 “It is wonderful that the Lord Mayor has highlighted the life-changing impact that reading can have on children across our city – particularly during this National Year of Reading. Thank you for all the opportunities and support you have provided.

 “This funding will enable us to deliver one of our inspirational “Tales in the Park” family storytelling festivals this summer, helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy books and stories during the school holidays.”