£44k for mayoral causes

Photo: Vincent Brown

Presentation of ?42,500 to Local Charities as a Result of the Mayor of Oldham Cllr Ateeque Ur -Rehman's year as Mayor FRont holding Cheque Steve Carroll Ace Centre North, Cllr Yasmin Toor Mayoress,Lisa Pearson Dr Kershaws, Julie Davies Christies Oldham, Cllr Ateeque Ur- Rehman Mayor and Claire Taylor Action Oldham Fund.

Scroll down for Video

FORMER Mayor of Oldham Ateeque Ur-Rehman's charity appeal raised £44,500 during his time in office.

Last Sunday's Zip World Challenge in Wales, in which Evening Chronicle editor Dave Whaley took part, raised more than £17,000 alone - the most raised at a single mayoral event in Oldham.

Councillor Ur-Rehman chose The Christie Oldham, Ace Centre North, Dr Kershaw's Hospice, Action Oldham Fund and Oldham Food Bank as his charities.

He said: "I'm really proud to have raised that amount of money for the mayor's charities this year. It's all due to the generosity of the people of Oldham.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the money collected was from Oldham people.

"Oldham people are the most generous donors to charities in this country."

Councillor Ur-Rehman also paid tribute to the mayoral team that helped him throughout his year as the town's first citizen.

The mayor's appeal also raised a one-off £5,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust - which helps match bone marrow and stem cell donors with people who need transplants - as part of the Zip Wire Challenge.