NSPCC Rochdale civic event at Town Hall

NSPCC Rochdale civic event at Town Hall
John Kay, Charles Hadfield, Mayor Ray Dutton
Bob Chadwick, Merrilyn Chadwick, Liz Jackson, Mayoress Elaine Dutton

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Guests gathered at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday night to celebrate two awards won by the Rochdale NSPCC branch earlier this year.

In July, the NSPCC Rochdale Branch, consisting of Rochdale, Heywood and Littleborough, won both the Branch of the Year Award for the North of England and National Branch of the Year after being nominated by Deborah Sefton, the NSPCC’s Community Fund Raising Manager.

The Branch raises approximately £35,000 pounds each year.

The event was opened by Rochdale Online Director John Kay (who was also celebrating his birthday), before dinner was served.

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale Ray and Elaine Dutton, chairpeople of the four committees, Moyra Matterson (Rochdale), Penelope Pace (Heywood), Carole Kennedy (Littleborough), and Bob Chadwick (representing the Ascot group), plus various committee members and treasurers.

Mayor Dutton said: “I’m always humbled to come to these events.”

He went on to speak about what people perceived luxury to be, addressing individuals in the room, before regaling what luxury meant to him as a child from a poor upbringing.

He closed his speech by saying: “We need to look at what we can do for children today, create a society that gives the word luxury back to children.”

Charles Hadfield, the NSPCC Divisional Vice President, said: “We’re proud to be the first branch to win this new branch of the year award.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all present for their team efforts.

“This is a real opportunity for society to raise profits to help young people looking forward with their lives.”

Bob Chadwick gave a speech about receiving the awards at a ceremony in London with HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex, saying: “We couldn’t have done it without everyone.”

Community Fund Raising Manager, Deborah Sefton, provided some insight to how the funds raised could be spent in relation to Childline. £400 pounds covers the cost for one school to provide a Speak Out, Stay Safe programme; £25 pounds allows the helpline centre in Salford to answer five calls.

She said: “820 calls last year came from Rochdale postcodes. Only a small amount of callers give their postcodes, so that’s just those who did.”

The Mayor then presented Liz Jackson of Fisherfield Childcare with a Certificate of Merit for their efforts in fundraising around £50,000 over the last decade.

The night closed with a raffle draw for six Geoff Butterworth art pieces and various other prizes.

Proceeds raised from the raffle were to be split between the NSPCC and the Mayor’s charity.