Almost £13,000 has been handed over to local good causes.

The Congleton Town Mayor for 2024-25, councillor Kay Wesley, has handed over the funds she raised for her chosen charities during her year with the chain.

Over the course of the year, councillor Wesley collected at civic events and organised fundraisers to accumulate almost £13,000.

This has now been distributed to Ruby's (£4,000), MyCWA (£7,000) and Congleton Pride (£1,961).

Councillor Wesley said: "The theme of my mayoral year was equality and inclusion, and all three of these organisations are dedicated to removing barriers from people so that they can participate and contribute fully, free from discrimination and harm.

"I was delighted to work with each of them through the year." 

Councillor Wesley presents the cheque to Rebecca Walker and Alison Parr from Ruby's (Credit: CTC)

With Congleton Pride, councillor Wesley organised a special 'Pride in Leadership' event to bring together civic leaders and Prides from all over Cheshire East.

It proved to be a great success, with plans to make it an annual event.

Chair of Congleton Pride, Malcolm Pope, said: "Councillor Wesley's support for Congleton Pride has been unwavering ever since we started six years ago.

"We are very grateful to be a mayor's charity and for all Kay does to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

"Many thanks for this generous donation that will help us continue to work to make Congleton a place where everyone feels safe, included and celebrated."

Meanwhile, the Ruby's team worked with the mayor to organise a Winter Walk and Activity Day at Astbury Mere, which got families outdoors on a sunny winter's day trying out all sorts of nature-based fun activities. 

Alison Parr of Ruby's thanked councillor Wesley, saying: "We were honoured and privileged to be one of the mayor's chosen charities of the year. This generous donation will help to fund the continuation of our much-needed peer support sessions for children with SEND and their families."

Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie accepts the cheque from councillor Wesley (Credit: CTC)

Councillor Wesley also did a sponsored walk all around Congleton to raise money for MyCWA, the charity that supports people in Cheshire affected by Domestic Abuse. 

CEO Saskia Lightburn-Ritche said: "My CWA is hugely grateful to Cllr Wesley and the people of Congleton for this generous donation.

"Every pound helps us keep our 24/7 helpline open and deliver life-changing support and recovery programmes for families affected by domestic abuse.

"The community's backing is vital in ensuring no one in Cheshire has to face abuse alone."

Councillor Wesley added: "Thank you so much to everyone who supported my events and fundraising activities during the mayoral year.

"It meant a lot to me to be able to support these worthwhile causes."