£16,000 donated from Mayor's charity appeal

Cheque Presentation John Kay, Jim Gartside, Doreen Stott, Dave Richardson and Jane Gartside

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Former Mayor, Councillor Jim Gartside has awarded Springhill Hospice and The Parkinson’s Society (Rochdale Branch) £8,000 from the Mayor's charity appeal.

Fundraising was undertaken throughout Councillor Gartside’s year as mayor to raise the money. Altogether over £24,000 was raised for three Rochdale charities.

Funds raised during Councillor Gartside’s Mayoral year have also enabled work to commence on cleaning of the ceiling in the Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall. 

A cheque presentation was made to Springhill Hospice with Councillor Gartside and his wife, also former Mayoress, Jane Gartside, attending the presentation with chairman of the charity appeal, Rochdale Online Director, John Kay.

Councillor Gartside said: “I enjoyed my time as mayor immensely. The icing on the cake is definitely the amount of money raised during the year, and the benefit that this money will have upon three worthwhile local causes.”

Alison McGuigan, Fundraising Lead at Springhill Hospice, said: “We were delighted to be chosen by Councillor Gartside as one of his charities of the year.

"We were absolutely amazed at the amount raised in total, and our £8,000 share will go such a long way to helping us to continue to provide the services we do at Springhill Hospice.”

The Rochdale branch of the Parkinson’s Society received a visit from Councillor Gartside, who is also President of the society.

Speaking at the cheque presentation Councillor Gartside said: “We want to raise awareness of the society to help more people. There are people who have Parkinson’s who don’t know about this group and the aim is to help as many people as possible.”

Receiving the cheque was chairwoman of the society, Doreen Stott.

The money raised will now go to help support specialist Parkinson’s support nurses.

John Kay, Chairman of Councillor Gartside’s charity appeal, said: “Parkinson’s is such a worthwhile charity that Jim has raised so much money for.”

The cheque presentation took place at the Parkinson’s society annual meeting at Castleton Community Centre. The society currently has 145 members and meets every first Thursday of the month.

Speaking of the donations, Councillor Gartside added: “We have a lot to thank the people of Rochdale for.”

Councillor Gartside will also be visiting Rochdale Blind Society, his third charity of choice.