Karen Johnson and Alan Wrigley receive Mayoral commendations for fundraising efforts

Mayor Surinder Biant and Mayoress Cecile Biant present Karen Johnson with her Mayoral commendation

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Karen Johnson and Alan Wrigley have been given mayoral commendations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to local causes.

Karen, 55, from Bamford, was commended after raising more than £2.6 million for the GEM Appeal, a charity that raises money for research into a rare genetic disorder she set up after the death of her two sons Simon and Mike.

Karen’s charity work was recently covered in the national press following her Pride of Britain nomination by former Coronation Street and Waterloo Road star, Denise Welch.

Alan Wrigley, 82 from Denshaw, was given a commendation in recognition of his efforts to raise money for Springhill Hospice, local charities in Rochdale and national organisations.

Alan recently became an internet sensation after a customer at B&Q Rochdale, where Alan works, posted about the extreme challenges he takes on to raise money for charity.

Councillor Surinder Biant, Mayor of Rochdale, invited the pair to Rochdale Town Hall where they enjoyed an afternoon tea and discussed the many challenges and events they have organised over the years.

Councillor Biant said: “What an inspiration these two local people are.

"For Alan to be sky-diving and bungee jumping at 82 shows the strength of his character and it was amazing to hear about his plans to do a wing-walk.

"Karen’s story is really touching – she has been doing fantastic work with the GEM Appeal for a number of years and truly deserves recognition.

"It was an honour to meet them both.”