LORD MAYORS' APPEAL RAISES £100,000

A MASSIVE £100,000 has been raised for the three charities chosen by Coventry’s Lord Mayor.

Councillor Jack Harrison is delighted after his civic appeal produced the highest total in
recent years – four times the average amount raised.

He has paid tribute to the efforts of businesses, residents, community groups and individuals who have supported the cause in the past year.

At the start of his mayoral term, Cllr Harrison picked three organisations that would benefit from fundraising events from May last year to May this year.

And the beneficiaries, who will each get around a third of the money raised, are the neo-natal ward, in Coventry’s University Hospital, in Walsgrave, the Transplant Games and children who are in the care of the local authority.

Cllr Harrison (Lab, Lower Stoke) said: “I am absolutely delighted with the fundraising efforts by everyone that has contributed.

“To raise £100,000 is great, but to know the average is usually £25,000, and to have done so during a recession, is even better.

“There have been so many memorable fundraising moments that have bought a smile to my face.

“Earlier this week I was visiting children at Davenport Lodge, who had organised a cake sale, but a lot of the three and four-year-olds had fallen asleep during the assembly.

“Chief executive Martin Reeves took part in the Coventry Half Marathon to raise money and Stoke Aldermoor held their own version of Britain’s Got Talent to raise £300.

“The Sikh community also donated £1,000 – I thank them all, this has been a real community effort.”

The money at the neo-natal ward will be used to improve the facilities for parents who are visiting babies in the ward and to buy soft toys.

Funds going to the Transplant Games – events run for those who have received a transplant – will go towards people’s accommodation to get to the games.

And the money going to children in local authority care will be used to fund school trips which parents can’t afford.

Today (Thursday) the new Lord Mayor will be taking part in his mayor-making ceremony.

Councillor Brian Kelsey (Con, Bablake) will take over the reins from Cllr Harrison.