Thatchams outgoing mayor gives local charities a boost
John Boyd handed over two cheques worth £860 each to the charities – Meningitis Trust and Happy Days Autistic Club – at the mayor’s civic reception last Friday.
The money was raised at various events, such as the Festival of Arts and Leisure, a charity calendar and a series of competitions.
Owing to adverse weather, the annual Thatcham Family Fun Day and Junior Fun Run in the Field, which usually swell the mayor’s charity coffers, had to be cancelled.
Local representatives and fundraisers of the Meningitis Trust, Kiera Wheeler, Della Wheeler and Ross Wheeler, attended the event to collect the cheque for their charity.
Della Wheeler said: “It's excellent; they need all the money they can get.
“It’s a valued lifeline for people who have been affected.”
The founder of Mary Hare School-based Happy Days Autistic Club, Kirilynn Gardner, said: “This group is the first of its kind for this age group.
“We are self-funded so we rely on the odd contribution.
“This money is fantastic; it’s amazing.
“It means that we will be able to reach out to more families across West Berkshire.”
Mr Boyd held his community reception at Mill Hall, Greenham, to thank all the people who had helped him during his year, including fellow councillors, representatives from town organisations and charities.
The celebration was also a chance for Mr Boyd to round off and wrap up his year as mayor.
After presenting the cheques he said: “People have often asked how I have managed to find time to work as a teacher, bring up a young family and conduct my duties as mayor.
“The answer in short is, it hasn’t been easy.
“I have given the role and the office of mayor the respect it deserves and have given as much of my time as I possibly could.
“I have been rewarded through meeting so many people who are giving huge amounts of their time to the community and not for just a couple of years.
“This reception is an opportunity to thank those who have given me the support that has enabled me to be the mayor, and so I wish to sincerely thank you all for contributing to making this year in particular so memorable.”
He will now hand over the reins to the new mayor who will be announced on Sunday.
