Raunds mayor ends term on a high after raising £7,000 for charity

The mayor of Raunds is thrilled to have raised £7,000 for charity despite having to cancel events due to Covid-19.

Cllr Richard Levell has raised £7,000 which will be shared between his chosen charities, Prostate Cancer UK and Parkinson's UK.

Cllr Levell, who has come to the end of his second term as mayor of Raunds, said: "I'm thrilled to have raised this money for these charities, fundraising is always hard work, but I have been excellently supported by my wife, Magdalena, who has been mayoress of Raunds, my fellow councillors in Raunds, East Northamptonshire and beyond, and by the wider public."

To raise funds Cllr Levell ran a quiz night and a curry evening, and this year his flagship event was a Burns Night Celebration in January.

In addition, funds were raised at the Raunds Mayor's Show and the Raunds Christmas Market and Lights-Switch-on, as well as sales of second-hand books in the Saxon Hall.

Sadly, the current Coronavirus pandemic has meant that a number of activities planned for March, April and May had to be cancelled otherwise the total fundraising would have been higher.

But Cllr Levell is pleased with the money raised, especially as it has been well documented that donations to charity have been greatly reduced by Covid-19 and the lockdown restrictions.

The outgoing mayor said: "So I am really pleased to be able to make this contribution to these excellent charities, whose support is still needed by so many people."

Prostate Cancer UK is warning that the current reduction in donations risks a reduction in research which is vital to help fight the disease.

Both Parkinson's UK and Prostate Cancer UK have dedicated webpages giving specific advice for those suffering from those conditions on staying well during the current Coronavirus crisis, and where to gain access for additional support if some regular support becomes temporarily unavailable.

Cheques will now be sent to the two charities to help support them with their work.

Raunds Town Council is due to elect a new mayor today (May 12).

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