MP’s dinner raises over £2,000 for the Mayor’s charity appeal

Councillor Karen Danczuk, Simon Danczuk MP, Jack Straw MP, Mayor Carol Wardle, Rochdale Online Director John Kay and Mayoress Beverley Place

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk hosted a dinner on Thursday (4 December) which raised £2,138.05 for the Mayor of Rochdale’s Charity appeal.

Held at Rochdale Town Hall and organised by Rochdale Online Director John Kay and Councillor Karen Danczuk, the event was attended by local councillors, business representatives and members of the Rotary Club of Rochdale.

The Right Honourable Jack Straw MP was the speaker at the event. Mr Straw has held most of the positions of High Office in past governments including Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal. Mr Straw will be standing down as an MP for Blackburn at the next general election after 35 years.

Mr Straw addressed a packed audience of 80 in the Reception Room following a meal.

Funds were raised for the charities by a raffle for a limited edition print by local artist Geoff Butterworth and for several other attractive prizes.

Barclays Bank PLC sponsored and committed themselves to match fund the event.

Mr Danczuk praised the generosity of local people after the dinner raised funds for Springhill Hospice, Heywood Youth Link and Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home.

Speaking after the dinner, Mr Danczuk said: “This is the third year running I've organised the MP's dinner to support the Mayor's charities and it's going from strength to strength. I was pleased to be able to help the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Carol Wardle, and I'd like to thank Barclays for kindly sponsoring the event. It was a full house, we had a fantastic speaker in Jack Straw and everyone had a great evening."