Outgoing Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Joy Allen, used her time as Mayor to raise almost £6,000.00 for two local charities, Angel Trust and the Durham branch of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) The Armed Forces Charity. She was able to support two charities as her mayoral term was extended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, supporting one in each year of her term.
To fundraise for the Angel Trust, a number of events and activities took place, including a Halloween Quiz Night, an International Women’s Day Event and a 26-mile sponsored walk. All events were supported by some great raffle prizes from local companies which helped to raise such a great sum of money. Sadly, some of the planned events fell within the first COVID-19 lockdown but in the true spirt of fundraising many ticket holders donated their ticket money to the Mayor’s charity. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns added to the fundraising challenge for SSAFA in the extended term, however a large donation from Voneus Broadband bolstered the funds to this charity.
Joy Allen, said: “Living in Bishop Auckland and representing this community has been a privilege. I have been fortunate enough to be able to fundraise for two wonderful, hardworking local charities during my back to back terms as Mayor and I hope the money we have raised as a community will help both charities well into the future.
I chose Angel Trust for my 2019-2020 term because they are a well loved Bishop Auckland based charity who do amazing things for the people in our communities, especially those suffering hardships. The team at Angel Trust are some of the most dedicated people I have had the pleasure to work with, and I am pleased that I have been able to raise a total of £4,792.14 for them, of which £498.79 was donated from my Mayor’s allowance. I would like to add a special thank you to Cello Electronics who donated a raffle prize of a TV which helped to raise over £300.00 for the charity.
SSAFA are a charity close to my heart, and I am thrilled that I will still get to work with them as their first Durham Branch local Patron, as I take up the role of Durham Police and Crime Commissioner. Whilst fundraising has been difficult during the Covid-19 pandemic, I have still managed to raise £1,205.09 for their social isolation fund, of which, £205.09 was from my Mayor’s allowance.
It is heart-breaking that the Covid-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on small businesses and charities across our region, I hope my fundraising donations help these local charities to continue their great work. A special thank you goes to all those who supported my fundraising efforts by attending events and donating prizes. I wish the incoming Mayor the best of luck with their fundraising efforts.”
Clair McGregor, Chief Executive of Angel Trust has said “We would like to give thanks to Joy for her amazing fundraising efforts during her term. Angel Trust are honoured to have been selected as the Mayor’s chosen charity and have thoroughly enjoyed working together to raise funds, the generous donation will be used to improve our local community and help individuals/groups that are facing hardship.”
Mike Donne Branch President, for Durham SSAFA has added “Thank you Joy for choosing SSAFA South West Durham Division as your chosen Mayors charity for 2020/2021. Throughout the pandemic the Division has been supporting local veterans and their families who suffer from social isolation. From the lockdown starting in October, we have used our social isolation fund to deliver bacon rolls, a Christmas dinner, and goodie bags every two weeks to 70 plus veterans whose average age is about 78. The beneficiaries have been grateful for the deliveries and enjoy the five-minute chat with the volunteer delivery drivers. As the restrictions are lifted there is a continued need for our micro befriending service as many of the veterans are of an age or suffer ill health which keeps the in isolation. This magnificent donation will allow us to continue this vital work over the coming months.”
For any further information contact the Town Council on 01388 207110 or e mail council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk