Former Chairman hands over cash to chosen charity

Former Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Cllr George Atkinson (Tanworth-in-Arden), presented a cheque of almost £1,500 to one of his chosen charities during his term of office this week.  

Cllr Atkinson, who was Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council until May, raised money for the NSPCC at the 'Chairman's Charity Luncheon in aid of NSPCC' at the RSC Rooftop Restaurant on Sunday 3 December 2017.

In addition to the cheque presented a further £1,116 was also raised at the lunch through a raffle (£869) and donations towards calls to ChildLine (£274) - making a grant total of £2,578.  

Cllr George Atkinson says: "The NSPCC is a charity I have always supported. In the early 1960s I worked in Sheffield and was an active member of its Junior Chamber of Commerce and was given the opportunity to speak at one of their lunches.  I prepared my talk on a business theme; focusing upon the need for any business to manage its financial responsibilities and in particular money management. Walking to the venue I saw an NSPCC shop; something in the window attracted my attention, so I went in and read some accounts of the abuse facing children. I was horrified, so changed my prepared address and promoted the NSPCC and have been supporting the charity ever since."  

Barbara Elsey, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager says: "This fantastic sum of money will help fund the NSPCC's vital work keeping children safe from abuse and neglect.  It will help our amazing staff and volunteers reach yet more children in schools across Warwickshire as part of our 'Speak Out Stay Safe' campaign.  

"The campaign has already been a tremendous success ensuring the children we reach know how to stay safe from abuse, and we look forward to spreading the message further afield thanks to the help of generous donations like this."  

Cllr Atkinson also donated £500 to Tanworth-in-Arden St Mary Magdalene Malawi Linked Parish Scheme which was handed over during the former Chairman's Candlelight Service at the Church on 13 May.

Pictured: Cllr George Atkinson presenting the cheque to Barbara Elsey, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager.