Both the Mayor, Councillor Joy Allen and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jamie Blackburn of Bishop Auckland Town Council have donated some of their allowances as Councillors to the Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre, specifically for the community foodbank, during their time as Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Anne Ramshaw of Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre Foodbank has shared some incredible statistics which demonstrates their hard work. From June 2020 to 12th March 2021 they created 491 family food parcels and 373 single food parcels. The Foodbank have supported 1156 adults and 820 children with food and supplies during this time.
Mayor, Councillor Allen, who has represented Cockton Hill ward for her time at Bishop Auckland Town Council has donated a total of £645.44 in her two years of Mayor so far, and has said, “The work of Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre has such an impact on the wider community and I wanted to help, in any way I could during my time at Bishop Auckland Town Council. The service they provide the community of Bishop Auckland is a lifeline for so many families and any help I can give them by donating my full Town Council Members allowance is the least I could do”.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Blackburn, who represents Woodhouse Ward, has always been passionate about helping the local community so he has donated his full Members allowance to the Community Centre. The total donated from Dept. Mayor Councillor Blackburn is £734.07.
Councillor Blackburn has said “Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre play a vital role in not only Woodhouse but the whole of Bishop Auckland. They don’t just offer services of the foodbank they can help with how to budget and even help put money on the meter for gas and electric. It is a service Bishop Auckland cannot be without. Ultimately this is money the tax payer give me to carry out my duties and as I have not incurred any expenses I hope people won’t mind me passing the money on.”
If you need support or would like donate to Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre, please do get in touch on 01388 602935.
Photo 1 –
Mayor, Councillor Joy Allen, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jamie Blackburn from Bishop Auckland Town Council and Anne Ramshaw – Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre Manager, Debbie Richardson – Woodhouse Close Church Community Centre Crisis and Welfare Worker, Joanne Norman – Woodhouse Close Project Co-ordinator, Jilly Johnson – Woodhouse Close Arts Officer, Sarah Aitchison – Woodhouse Close Health & Well Being Officer
Photo 2 – Councillor Allen, Councillor Blackburn and Anne Ramshaw
