Mayor bows out with £46k for charities

CHALLENGE . . . The Mayor's Charity Committee at the zipwire in North Wales

AN impressive £46,000 has been raised for charity during the Mayor of Oldham's year in office.

Councillor Derek Heffernan, who stepped down as mayor on Wednesday, with the support of the Mayor of Oldham's Charity Committee raised almost £1,000 every week over the past 12 months.

At a cheque presentation on Tuesday, Councillor Heffernan pledged one third of the money to Macmillan Cancer Support and one third to Francis House Children's Hospice, with the remainder going to various Oldham charities.

Councillor Heffernan, and his wife Di have a long history of fundraising, dating back 67 years.

At the mayor-making ceremony on Wednesday, he said: "We have had far too many favourite moments to share them all. I would like to thank the Mayor's Appeal Committee who have soldiered on. This team has consistently supported me and helped to raise a huge sum of money for several wonderful causes."

One of the highlights of the year saw 44 intrepid flyers have a go on the fastest and second longest zipwire in the world on May 14.

The group raised more than £6,400 for the Mayor's chosen charities by taking on the exhilarating 500ft high challenge at Zip World, in Bethesda, North Wales.

Councillor Heffernan, who travelled to North Wales, said: "I am very proud of all thepeople who took part in this challenge.

"It was a great day and once again the generosity of Oldhamers was shown at its best.

"These people raised a fantastic sum for local charities."

The youngest participant was aged 11 with the oldest person to brave the 100mph-plus challenge being 79 years old. John Battye, appeal committee chairman who organised the event, said: "Everyone has been incredibly generous. Despite the difficulties Derek and Di had, people have kept on.

"With the skydive, per person we raised as much as we raised last year."

Oldham's annual Beer Festival in March and the Mayor's Ball in February were other events which contributed to the fund.

And £1,000 was raised by the Blue Tiffin Restaurant, Bar and Entertainment Lounge which held a raffle at the official launch of the revamped restaurant last September.