The charitable fund overseen by the Worshipful Mayor of Boston has received a significant and heartening boost, thanks to a wave of recent fundraising activities and generous donations from the borough's residents. Councillor Barrie Pierpoint, together with his dedicated fundraising committee, has now successfully surpassed the crucial halfway point in their ambitious campaign to raise £10,000 for vital local organisations.
Five Local Charities Set to Benefit Equally
All proceeds collected by the conclusion of the Mayor's civic year in May will be distributed equally among five carefully selected local charities, each addressing distinct community needs. The beneficiaries include:
- Boston Foodbank – This essential service provides crucial food support and offers free lunches for children during school holiday periods.
- Boston Men's Shed – A welcoming and supportive space where men can connect, share practical skills, and offer mutual emotional support.
- Centrepoint Outreach – An organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable and homeless individuals across the Boston area.
- Headway Lincolnshire – This charity offers specialist counselling and comprehensive support for individuals and families affected by brain injuries.
- Support Group for Adults with Autism – A group focused on creating a strong community and providing valuable resources for autistic adults.
Proactive Fundraising Efforts and Generous Donations
The Mayor's Fundraising Committee has been exceptionally active, organising a diverse array of events to generate funds. These have included a festive afternoon tea, a vegetarian supper, numerous raffles, bread and caricature sales, and the Mayor's Christmas reception event, among others.
Local businesses and organisations have also played a pivotal role in this community effort. Significant contributions have been received from:
- A £300 donation from a fundraising event held at Kia Drayton Motors during the opening of their new showroom.
- £1,000 raised from Santa's Grotto at Pescod Square.
- £330 generated from a charity quiz night organised by the White Hart Hotel.
- £465 collected from a Christmas street collection in Boston town centre.
- £600 raised through a prize draw organised by the Kings Arms on Horncastle Road, where the top prize of a Christmas hamper was won by Shane and Jennie Sellers.
Community Support in Action
Patrick Melaugh, proprietor of the King's Arms, explained his motivation for getting involved: "Every year, we hold a prize draw at Christmas to raise funds for various charities. This year, I saw the Mayor's flyer asking for help to raise funds for his nominated charities and wanted to get involved."
He added, "I had the good fortune to be able to offer a homeless person one of our B&B rooms during the coldest weekend in December, and wanted to do more to help, so was particularly drawn by Centrepoint Outreach and Boston's Men's Shed. I thank the Worshipful Mayor for his time and our lovely customers and local businesses for their kind help in raising these funds."
Mayor Expresses Gratitude and Looks Ahead
Councillor Barrie Pierpoint expressed his profound thanks: "I would like to say a very big thank you to all the many businesses, organisations, individuals and my fundraising committee, all of whom have worked tirelessly to fundraise for the Mayor's five chosen local good causes so far. It is a fantastic milestone to exceed the halfway point of our fundraising target and I can't thank everyone enough for their kind donations and generosity."
With several months remaining until the end of his civic year in May, the Mayor is optimistic about surpassing the target. "We have lots more fundraising events planned, and with the support of the community, I know we can more than exceed the £10,000 target for these fantastic, local causes," he stated.
Upcoming Fundraising Events in Boston
The community is encouraged to participate in a series of upcoming events designed to boost the fund further:
- Willoughby Allotment Supper – Wednesday, March 4, 7pm: A three-course vegetarian meal with a raffle at Willoughby Road Allotments. Tickets are £20 each.
- Corporate Quiz Night – Wednesday, March 25, 7pm: Hosted at Boston Rugby Club for 20 business teams of six persons. Prizes for the top three teams, with a raffle and food and drinks available. Tickets are £60 per team.
- Charity Race Night – Friday, March 27 at the Conservative Club: Doors open at 6.30pm with the first race at 7pm. Includes a meal, pay bar, and raffle. Tickets are £10 each, with horse ownership at £5 per race.
- Easter Bunny Charity Coffee Morning – Saturday, April 4, 10am till noon at The Pavilion, Fishtoft: Featuring refreshments, cakes, a raffle, games, and a craft stall. Tickets are £3 at the door.
- Boston Belle Boat Trip – Tuesday, May 12, 11.30am for a four-hour trip on The Wash: Includes a buffet, proclamation scroll, pay bar, and raffle. Tickets are £30 per person.
- Mayor's Fun Fundraising Night – Saturday, May 16, 6pm at Boston Rugby Club: A celebration of the Mayor's year with a free drink and gift per person, raffle, competitions, and entertainment. Tickets are £27.50 each or £200 for a table of eight.
The Mayor extended a warm invitation: "Please do come along to as many of our fundraising events as you can; you will be most welcome and are sure to have an enjoyable time." Those interested in organising their own event to support the five causes are encouraged to contact Councillor Pierpoint directly.
For further details on obtaining tickets or organising a fundraising event, please contact Councillor Barrie Pierpoint by telephone on 07720 406806 or via email at barrie.pierpoint@boston.gov.uk. Organisations, charities, schools, or businesses wishing to arrange a visit from the Mayor should contact Alison Hull, Civic and Member Services Officer, at alison.hull@boston.gov.uk.
