Mary Reid: Charity Committee

Mary Reid | 10 April 2007 | 14:25

Charity Committee

I'm within my last month now as Mayor but two of the most significant events are still to come.

Next week we will be enjoying the Mayors' Charity Ball on Ravens Ait, and that will be a wonderful climax to a year of fundraising for Young Kingston.

I have a terrific Charity Committee to thank for everything they have achieved this year. Here they are ...

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From the left they are Graham Child (of Jaggerprint), John Perry (solicitor), Lucie Moore (Kingston's Tourism and Events Manager), Sue Frett (of ROYAD and several other voluntary organisations), Alison Croucher (Mayoral Officer) and Cllr Sheila Griffin (Deputy Mayor). We were also joined by members of Kingston Youth Council, notably, Charlotte, Dylan and Darius. Cllr Bart Ricketts was also away on the day the photo was taken.

They have been a fantastic help, coming up with lots of ideas and finding the energy to organise events, from a quiz night to a grand ball.

The other significant event before I finish will be the launch of Young Kingston. Of course, I was awkward this year and decided to set up a new fund instead of simply supporting existing charities. The Charity Committee was remarkably patient with me - we didn't even have a name for it for the first couple of months!

A separate Steering Committee is now managing Young Kingston under the umbrella of the well-established Thames Community Foundation. I'll write more about it after the launch.

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Michael Joslin

on 12 April 2007 at 17:21

Although I was originally very dubious about the idea I think that in the format it has been created it can make a very positive contribution for the young residents of Kingston providing that it is marketed correctly and all young people are made aware of the opportunities available to them.

Mary Reid

on 12 April 2007 at 18:28

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They will be! The launch to the young people - when Young Kingston will be open for business - will be done with quite a flourish after the summer holiday period. Watch this space, as they say....

Michael Joslin

on 14 April 2007 at 11:23

It's not the completely answer to the problem in Kingston but it will do a lot to provide young people opportunities that they would not otherwise be able to have. I myself am planning to work for Barack Obama this summer but am struggling to find the finance and schemes like this are perfect to allow people to do things that they want to develop their personal skills.