Conservative leader's column: the Middle East and Little Pink Borough fundraiser

John Taylor is the leader of the local Conservative party in Rochdale and a councillor for Wardle and West Littleborough.

This month he dedicates his column to the conflict in the Middle East and the Little Pink Borough fundraising event.

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This week I feel compelled to write about the horrific and murderous actions that dominate world headlines from the Middle East. I find it difficult to comprehend how the barbaric torture, mutilation and murder of innocent civilians, including woman and children can take place in what we consider to be a modern civilised society.

The depraved actions of organised terrorists shocked the world when Hamas executed their pre-planned raid on totally innocent Israelis. I have no doubt the overwhelming majority of people will join me in condemning those who planned the atrocity, those who carried it out and those who support it.

I am not a scholar of the incredibly complex political history of the Middle East and I would not pretend to be. Nor can I put myself in the shoes of someone who has lived their life in that environment, but I do know right from wrong and I do know the actions of terrorists are designed to strike fear into thousands and cause division between communities. There can no place for terrorism in our society and I believe we must stand together in opposing it.

Israel has the right to protect itself and must continue to do so. As I write it seems to be sadly inevitable how more innocent civilians from both sides of this conflict will lose their lives, thousands will be displaced and the lives of many more will be destroyed. I sincerely hope that a negotiated peace can be found and any military action will be minimised.

Last week in our full council meeting Cllr. Neil Emmott spoke very eloquently about Rochdale standing in solidarity with the innocent civilians of both Palestine and Israel. The indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including the deaths of hundreds of innocent women and children, are unacceptable.

I agree with him entirely as will the many thousands of decent people across our borough.

We have seen how the actions and words of some people much closer to home are likely to fan the flames of hatred and division. My message is very, very clear, our town has a diverse history and we must call out and address any anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim activities. There can be no place for hatred in Rochdale, there can be no place for racism in Rochdale and there can be no place for discrimination in Rochdale.

In total contrast, last weekend I had the difficult but pleasurable task of judging Little Pink Borough along with two of my fellow councillors. This year the task seemed to be more difficult than ever as many of our local shops and businesses really embraced the event, joined in the fundraising and designed some incredible displays too.

Little Pink Borough is the brain child of two inspirational people. Kath and Andy O’Donnell’s whose achievements have been nothing short of phenomenal and they have quietly raised over £200,000 for cancer research.

Their fundraising activities date back to 2004 when Andy was diagnosed with testicular cancer and following successful treatment, he wanted to give something back and raise much needed money for cancer research. Andy is a keen golfer and so he organised a charity golf day that was held in 2006 and raised a very respectable £2,000. Little did he know at that time how he was just at the beginning of his fundraising journey. The event was repeated the following year and soon after Andy found himself delivering a talk at the Roy Castle foundation in Liverpool. Their next event - Doggie Dash around Hollingworth Lake was inspired by their beloved Yorkshire Terrier Oscar and his love of 'walkies'.  All the dogs involved were easily identifiable from their neckerchiefs and the “3 Amigos” FUNdraising group was born. It was an instant hit and led to Cancer Research creating “Woof Walkies” to replicate their success.

Not content with one or two fundraisers Kath and Andy have created, developed and delivered no less than six completely independent fundraising initiatives.

They created Little Pink Borough some eight years ago with the aim of awareness raising and fundraising for all cancers and the annual event certainly caught the imagination of the whole village. It is now indelibly marked into every shop’s calendar and the village is awash with colourful displays, carefully thought-out messages and of course fundraising initiatives. So successful is Little Pink Borough that it has spread to Milnrow and Newhey too and who knows where it will crop up next.

I want to say a huge thank you to both Kath and Andy for all that they have done and continue to do to aid and support others at their time of need – a truly remarkable couple.