Outgoing Mayor of West Lancashire, Councillor Nikki Hennessy, has presented £9,598 to charities she has supported in her Mayoral year.

The funds were raised by Councillor Hennessy and her husband and consort Paul with the support of the Mayor’s Charity Committee, and through a large number of fundraising events.

Exciting events that raised money for the charities included world record attempt by local schools for the largest five-minute performance of heads, shoulders, knees and toes taking place simultaneously across multiple sites. This was organised by the West Lancashire School Sport Partnership Sports Council.

There was also a concert in the Park at Rufford Old Hall and a VE Day Celebration Evening at Aughton Village Hall. Other events included a Flower Demonstration in Brookside and a Bingo Afternoon at the Evermoor Hub.

Collections at Asda and Booths helped to increase the total and there were donations from a huge range of organisations across West Lancashire, including the Concourse Shopping Centre, Brownies, and care homes as well as individual donations

Councillor Hennessy said: “Paul and I are very grateful to everyone who has donated money to our chosen charities this year and to the hard working members of the Mayor’s Charity Committee. I have many happy memories of the fundraising events and I hope the money we have raised will make a big difference to these very worthy causes.”

One of Councillor Hennessy’s last duties was to present the cheques to the charities.

She gave £4,580 to the Alzheimer’s Society in West Lancashire, and Amanda Boult, Dementia Support Worker for Alzheimer’s Society West Lancashire, said: “We are delighted to be one of the mayor’s chosen charities in West Lancashire.

"Alzheimer’s Society provides a wide range of support in Lancashire where around 19,373 people are estimated to be living with dementia. As a charity we rely on the generosity of local organisations donating money to us so we can continue our work providing vital local services to people living with dementia and their families in Lancashire."

Cllr Hennessy also presented £5,018 to Barnardo’s Lancashire Young Carers in West Lancashire. The money will be used to support children as young as five years old who care for a sick or disabled family member. This will include a residential break and day trips to allow the children time out from their caring role.

Jenny Ashcroft, manager of Barnardo’s Lancashire Young Carers service, said: “We’re really grateful to receive this generous donation from the Mayor. The money will make a big difference to the children and young people that we support. On behalf of them and our charity, we would like to say a huge thank you.”