A STAGGERING £50,000 has been raised by Cllr John Hudson in his Mayoral year for Oldham to benefit local causes and charities across the borough.
Cllr Hudson, from Greenfield, took on the Chain of Office last May and, supported by his wife Kathleen and a dedicated team, has hosted an array of fundraisers including dinners, coffee mornings and shows.
The money raised, which is still being finalised, will be divided between charities and good causes across the borough.
Cllr Hudson, who has served on Saddleworth Parish Council for more than 30 years, will donate £20,000 to Christie’s at Oldham, and £7,500 to each of the Terence O’Grady Social Club and Oldham Music Centre.
Other groups to benefit include Oldham Theatre Workshop (£1,000), Oldham Carers Support Group for Autism (£1,000), Dr Kershaws (£1,000), Oldham Ex Service Liaison Association (£1,000), Saddleworth Museum (£500), Saddleworth Parish Chairman’s Charity (£844), Oldham Cancer Support (£500), Salvation Army (£500), Hulme Grammar School in Ghana Fund (£500), 41stRTR 10th Manchester Trustees (£500), Boarshurst Brass Band (£250), Saddleworth Male Voice Choir (£250), Chernobyl Children Life Line (£250), Macmillan Cancer (£250), Myasthenia Gravis Association (£250), Saddleworth Carers Group (£250) and ROH League of Friends (£250).
Cllr Hudson said: “The year has been brilliant and I am so pleased with the money we have raised.
“We’re able to help more people than we thought. All the money will be ploughed back locally and we’ve tried to be fair spreading it out.
“I like to think with this amount we have helped to do a lot of good for a lot of people.
“We’re giving £20,000 to Christie’s as cancer is such a terrible thing that affects so many people and their support is wonderful.
“I think this is one of the highest totals in modern times. We actually raised about £75,000 but we’ve paid for bands, caterers, and hiring halls so that’s reduced the total a bit.”
As Mayor, Cllr Hudson, 75, chaired Oldham Council meetings and acted as an ambassador at events to help raise the borough’s profile and create links.
His official functions included opening the Saddleworth Real Ale shop in Uppermill, judging entries at the popular Delph Flower Show and attending Christ Church Denshaw’s 150thanniversary celebrations.
He revealed: “I’ve enjoyed the whole year but the highlight has been going into schools and seeing the children and telling them about what we do and why.
“I think it is really important that people of all ages and all areas of Oldham see and know about what we’re doing across the whole borough to help everybody.”
And he is showing no sign of slowing down yet, saying: “I see no reason why I shouldn’t carry on, as long as I stay fit and healthy.”
At the end of his year in office, Cllr Hudson and Kathleen were presented with two books filled with pictures to chronicle the 360 engagements they made.
Mayoress Kathleen added: “We’ve had a wonderful time and I’m going to miss it. We’ve been so busy but it’s worth it to raise the money for such good causes.
“We’ve got to see so many different things across the community that you just normally don’t get to witness and be a part of.”
The Mayor of Oldham for 2014-15 is Fida Hussain, who is a councillor for Werneth and will be supported by his wife Tanvir.
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