Brighton and Hove mayor backs charity that touched his family

The mayor of Brighton and Hove has spoken about how his life was touched by one of the charities that he has chosen to support during his year in office.

Councillor Bill Randall is using his mayoralty to raise money for the Martlets Hospice, Brighton Women’s Centre and Allsorts Youth Project.

Councillor Randall said: “I chose these three organisations from the many outstanding charities in Brighton and Hove because they contribute so much to the city.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton and Hove Bill and Heather Randall

“Hardly anybody in Brighton and Hove is untouched by the work of the Martlets hospice, which cares for more than 1,000 local people and their families a year.

“Peggy, my mother in law, spent the last weeks of her life in the hospice. She, and the rest of my family, could not have had better care.

“The Brighton Women’s Centre has supported vulnerable and disadvantaged women in the city in a safe women-only space for 35 years and promotes their independence.

“It also provides an Ofsted-registered preschool group.

“Its work is particularly important when women are suffering more than other groups from the effects of the recession.

“The Allsorts Youth Project provides a range of services to support and empower young LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans) people under 26, many of them vulnerable, and raises awareness about LGBT issues in local schools, colleges and youth projects.

“The services provided include one-to-one confidential support and sexual health advice and support.

“Allsorts recently launched a summer programme for LGBT under 16s.

“I hope local people will show their customary generosity in helping me raise money to support these three outstanding charities and their work in the coming year at a time when other sources of funding are hard to come by.

“I am glad to say that the University of Brighton Students’ Union is supporting our fundraising efforts, adding a new and fresh dimension to the work.”

A full programme of fundraising events will be published shortly.

The mayor’s office can be contacted on 01273 291225.