£30,000 raised by mayor will help many

A delighted Cllr John Fox handed over three cheques of just over £9,800 to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, the Peterborough Sea Cadets and Peterborough Shopmobility at the Town Hall last Thursday after an enjoyable year in the role.

And the money raised during his year as mayor will bring benefits to all three charities for many years to come.

The Werrington First councillor, who served in the Royal Navy for 11 years, said: “I’m a fully paid up member of the Sea Cadets and this money will allow them to put three boats on the water.

“I was co-ordinator of Shopmobility for 15 years which is going to be getting 10 brand new scooters.

“Addenbrooke’s is getting a machine that tests livers to see if they are okay for a transplant.”

Cllr Fox was joined by Mayoress Cllr Judy Fox throughout his year as Mayor, with Cllr Chris Ash and Doreen Roberts as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress.

Remarkably they have now all switched roles, with Cllr Fox this year acting as Deputy Mayor.

Reflecting on his time as the city’s First Citizen, the councillor for Werrington described it as an “honour and a privilege”, but he said raising nearly £30,000 was not the only highlight of his year in the role.

He added: “The good thing about it is it’s not all about the amount of money you make, it’s the memories you leave.

“At most of the events most people left positive comments and said it was a success and one of the best they had been to.

“People did enjoy a lot of events we put on, and we put some unusual events on including a Masquerade Ball.

“To be mayor is something we will remember for the rest of our lives. I’ve loved every minute of it and Judy has as well.”