Cllr Mrs Judy Butt, Mayor of Poole 2006/07

Deputy Mayor of Poole, Cllr Mrs Judy Butt handed over her chains of office in May after a hectic and eventful year of official duties and fundraising activities.

When the collection tins finally stopped rattling and the grand total was tallied up, a whopping £65,100 was raised for her three chosen charities, breaking all previous records in Poole.

Judy has three children of her own, two with specific learning difficulties and therefore has a natural interest in promoting young people and disabled people, particularly with learning disabilities. This is reflected in her choice of three main charities:

• Poole Citizen's Advice Bureau
• Poole Forum ‑ a self‑advocacy group for people with learning difficulties
• Help and Care ‑ a local group providing respite and resources for carers

Judy is a great believer in self‑help and self‑advocacy, always believing its better to have a 'hand up' rather than a 'hand out'. Throughout her year of office she made it quite clear that she would expect all three charities to participate in running fundraising events and be very hands on in their own success, which they all took up enthusiastically.

Representatives from the charities gathered at Upton House to receive cheques.

Judy said: "It was an amazing year and the funds raised a record amount for Poole. My charity committee, ably led by my Chairman Mrs Jackie Maynard, were totally dedicated to my charities and supported me unconditionally throughout the year. Their commitment was astounding and the monies would never have been raised without them.

We were a great team and learnt a lot from each other. Sincere thanks goes to everyone who contributed to my charities, especially Borough of Poole staff who were extremely generous in organising charity fund raisers and attending many of the 36 fund raising events we organised."

Judy, together with her family, members of her charity committee and representatives from her three main charities, presenting the cheques raised as from her charity appeal fund during her term of office.

With the formalities over, Judy and her supporters raise a glass (or three!) to celebrate their success.