Former Mayor and Mayoress present £10,000 to Springhill Hospice

Springhill Hospice Director of Clinical Services, Sheila Johnson with former Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Surinder and Cecile Biant, and Tracie Powers, Chairwoman of the Mayor’s Charity Committee

Councillor Surinder Biant and Councillor Cecile Biant presented Springhill Hospice’s Director of Clinical Services, Sheila Johnson, with a cheque for £10,000, raised during theirr term as Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale 2015-2016.

Councillor Surinder Biant said: “We thoroughly enjoyed fundraising for such deserving causes, especially as we put on such a large variety of events. The committee took on everything from home baking to ballroom dancing competitions, attended a spectacular fundraising dinner organised by the Council of Mosques and arranged our night of glamour at the Town Hall in the form of the Mayor's Ball.

“It’s hard work but very rewarding

“I want to put on record our gratitude to my superb charity committee, especially Dorothy Johnstone and her team at the Town Hall.”

Councillor Cecile Biant said: “It’s been a great experience all round, from our first meeting when everyone was throwing ideas into the pot, to seeing the final events and being able to make a difference to groups in the community who need it most.”

On receiving the £10,000 donation, Sheila Johnson said: “We’re very privileged to receive such outstanding support from the community we serve. The team here are so very grateful to have been chosen as one of the charities that Councillor Biant supported in his year as Mayor of Rochdale, especially when there are so many other organisation in our Borough that could also put the money to good use.”