Former Mayor John Boyle raises £23,000 for FSR charity

LOCAL Charity Foyle Search and Rescue got a huge boost to their fundraising efforts thanks to former Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor John Boyle, who presented a cheque for £23,000, raised during his Mayoral year.

The former Mayor selected Foyle Search and Rescue as his Mayoral charity when he took up the position in May last year.

A series of hugely successful fundraising events were organised during the Mayoral year that included a Charity Jazz concert, a flag-day on St Patrick’s Day, the Mayors Ball, and a series of other events including a collection at the Millennium Forum panto performances and flag-day events throughout the year.

A Strictly Come Dancing event organised and facilitated by Council staff was also hugely successful in raising funds for the charity.

Cllr Boyle said he was humbled at the generosity of the public and extended a warm thanks to everyone who made a donation.

He said: “Times are hard for lots of people but they were always happy to put their hands in their pockets and give to this charity.

“The response we had from the public to the Mayor’s charity was phenomenal and I am extremely proud to hand over a cheque for £23,653.87 today to a very worthy cause.

“I am in awe of the work that Foyle Search and Rescue do every day and the people of this city and district clearly agree with me and were more than happy to contribute so generously to this well deserving charity.”

Stephen Twells from Foyle Search and Rescue said the charity felt honoured and privileged to receive the cheque and thanked the former Mayor and everyone who contributed over the year.

He said: “This is a huge amount of money and we are very grateful to receive it. John Boyle has been a very strong advocate of our charity and has been very supportive of the work that we do.

“We are extremely grateful for this kind donation and also of the profile and exposure we received throughout the past year when John was Mayor.

“We would like to reassure the public that this money will be reinvested into service provision and equipment and would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of them for their continued support.”

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