Mayor raises over £16k for chosen charities

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Doreen Stott from Parkinson’s UK Rochdale branch and Michelle Hollinrake, Manager of Shopmobility, accept their cheques from Councillor Zulfiqar Ali

Last year’s Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, has raised over £16,000 for his Mayoral charities.

Councillor Ali’s chosen charities were Parkinson’s UK Rochdale branch and Shopmobility in Rochdale. Both charities have received an equal share of the £16,241.40 raised.

In a special cheque giving ceremony today (10 August) Councillor Ali handed over £8,120.70 to each of the two charities.

Manager of Shopmobility, Michelle Hollinrake, described the fund as a “fantastic amount” for the charity.

She added: “We were very pleased to be chosen, we have had a fun year and some good dos. I’m surprised at how much was raised. We got a lot from the Mayor’s ball, the legal team organised the ball and brought a lot of money in.”

Doreen Stott from the Parkinson’s UK Rochdale branch, added: “We are over the moon, it has been a good year, we have worked hard but enjoyed and we are pleased with the rewards.”

Councillor Ali said he had hoped to raise around the £16,000 mark for the charities but was unsure if he would reach his target.

He said: “In about February I was worried about not hitting the figures but the last minute decision to have a Mayor’s Charity Ball boosted the funds.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the people of the borough of Rochdale who supported me.”