Hailsham mayor to donate cash from his allowance to charity groups

In his role as mayor, Cllr Paul Holbrook receives a yearly allowance to cover events - and other costs associated with the office of Town Mayor - but in the previous financial year, he did not utilise all of the allowance and has stated that he will donate what was remaining to 8 local community groups and charitable organisations.

Town councillors considered and agreed a request by Councillor Holbrook to re-allocate funds from the previous year’s Mayoral Allowance and donate £100 each to the following organisations:

- Garden Guardians - Pass It On (In Your Community) CIC - Hailsham Choral Society - Hailsham Allotment Society - Charles Hunt Centre - Hailsham Town Football Club - Hailsham Bowls Club - Fighting Fit Boxing Academy

"The community and voluntary sector play a significant role within Hailsham, fulfilling a broad range of requirements for the local community," said Cllr Holbrook. "The benefits that come from a having such a vibrant community and voluntary sector creates a number of positives for the town by providing services to those in need, volunteering for those who need to develop their life skills, as well as providing the means for people to become involved in their community or simply leisure opportunities."

"I am impressed by the work in the town by volunteers who help run these organisations and, having recognised and supported such organisations in the past wherever I can, I am certain that there are many unsung heroes upon who so much depends on the success of fundraising events and other vital work in the community."

"From this, I am extremely pleased to be able to donate money from my mayoral allowance to some of our local, very important community groups and charitable organisations. Now more than ever, the charity and community services sector needs support to continue doing the great work they do every day."

"All of our local community groups are assets to the local community and I’m proud to be able to help them to keep up the excellent work they are doing, by way of these small donations from my allowance."