Mayor's dinner raises funds for local charities

Sir David Trippier, Mayoress Jane Gartside, Mayor James Gartside, Lillian King and John Kay

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor James Gartside, held a fundraising dinner in support of local charities at Rochdale Masonic Hall last night (Friday 8 March) which raised £2,600.

Guests speakers were Sir David Trippier and Lillian King.

Sir David will be remembered by many as an MP who enjoyed an outstanding career over five decades. He was Minister for Tourism, Small Firms and Enterprise before becoming Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction. He was then promoted to become the Minister of State for the Environment and Countryside.

Sir David was knighted by the Queen in 1992.

Lillian King served as a Chief Superintendent with Greater Manchester Police; having joined in 1980 she worked in many demanding areas, including Moss Side, before retiring after 30 years service.

Both speakers were warmly welcomed by an appreciative audience.

Mayor Jim Gartside said: "I would like to thank Sir David and Lillian for their entertaining anecdotes, it is very kind of them to give up their evening and make tonight a special night.

"I would also like to thank all those who have worked hard to ensure tonight's fund raiser is such a great success, in particular my charity committee and Rochdale District Freemasons.

"I appreciate the full house and find it touching to see so many people prepared to help local charities."

The beneficiaries of the fund raising are the mayor's chosen charities: Springhill Hospice, Rochdale and District Blind Welfare Society and the Rochdale branch of Parkinson's UK.