Councillor Ray Dutton’s Mayoral year charity donation to Springhill Hospice

Photo: Ken Rowlatt

Julie Halliwell, Robert Clegg, Elaine Dutton, Cllr Ray Dutton

The former Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Ray Dutton presented Springhill Hospice chief executive, Julie Halliwell and chairman of Trustees, Robert Clegg with a cheque for £20,000 from the Mayor’s Charity.

Councillor Dutton said: “All the hard work and determined effort from the committee and the outstanding support from the communities meant that we were able to raise an astonishing £55,000 for charities in the local area.”

Former Mayoress Elaine Dutton said: “We are delighted to have been able to donate such a substantial amount of money to Springhill Hospice, it is a charity close to our hearts and to the hearts of so many local people”

The Mayor’s Charity Committee work to organise events throughout the year, with the Mayor’s Ball being a particularly proud moment in Councillor Dutton’s fundraising calendar.

Chief Executive Julie Halliwell welcomed them both back to the Hospice, to  receive the donation. She said: “£20,000 is such a welcome gift, the Hospice is only partly funded by the NHS, this amount of money will make a real difference to our patients.

“We are so very grateful to everyone involved with organising the events, to Ray and Elaine for choosing to support Springhill and to those in the community to took part”.

The former Mayor and Mayoress also played a part in making Springhill’s own events a success, opening fairs, launching the 2017 calendar launch, presenting Springhill’s education students with their diplomas and most memorably, starting the Santa Dash or Dawdle.

Lillie Winterbottom, Hospice Fundraiser, has fond memories of the annual Father Christmas festive run. She said: “Ray was simply brilliant. When he arrived in the Mayoral car he was wearing a wonderful Christmas hat, his buoyant personality really encouraged the 600 Santas, especially when he took part in the pre-event warm up. He really got involved, dancing along with the rest of the red and white clad supporters, sending them all on their merry way and welcoming them all back with a cheer. He really made the event special for everyone."