Former Shildon Town Mayor, Trish Pemberton, is celebrating raising, together with her colleagues at the Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, the record amount of £6,100. Trish Pemberton and Rotary President, Nora Scott, will be presenting cheques for £4,500 and £1,600 respectively to the local branch of the NSPCC.
Highlights of the former Town Mayor’s fundraising efforts for her chosen Charity of the Year include a Valentine’s themed ball, which was match-funded for £500 by Lloyds Bank, Bishop Auckland. Another was a ‘Tea in the Park’ event, complete with brass band, to celebrate the visit of the Flying Scotsman to Locomotion, NRM Shildon. A Tesco’s bag pack and a number of tombolas and raffles also took place, with the support of young people from community group, Shildon Alive.
One of the most enjoyable events was the sponsored “Jaunt” organised jointly with the Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe to link Aycliffe with Shildon along a new railway track installed by the County Council. This tied in with celebration of the 191st birthday of the Stockton and Darlington Railway at Locomotion. This wonderful birthday event attracted over 3,000 people to celebrate the area’s local history.
Commenting Trish Pemberton said: “I have now joined the local fundraising branch of the NSPCC to say ‘thank you’ for all the help and support the members gave me during my mayoral year. I want to continue to raise funds for a charity and the NSPCC sadly, seems to need it more than ever. As a former teacher and residential social worker, it seems the right thing to do’.
Jackie Dawson, NSPCC fundraising manager, said: “We are extremely grateful to Trish Pemberton, the Rotary Club members and locals who raised such an amazing sum of money, helping us to provide therapeutic services for children who have suffered from sexual abuse, domestic violence or are at risk of neglect. The money raised will go towards vital services – £4 could pay for one of trained volunteer counsellors to answer a call made to Childline. 90% of NSPCC funding comes from donations, without which we would no longer be able to continue our fight for every childhood.”
To find out more about fundraising for the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/do-yourown-fundraising
Photo: Left to right: Emma Wood (Hewitts), Jackie Dawson (NSPCC), Trish Pemberton, Olga Bainbridge (NSPCC), Nora Scott (Rotary), John Turner (Hewitts)
