During her mayoral year, Mayor of St Helens Borough, Councillor Clarke, is raising money for The Deafness Resource Centre in Dentons Green which supports around 3,000 people across Merseyside who are D/deaf* in living fulfilling and independent lives.

As part of fundraising efforts, all proceeds from the 2023 Santa Dash in Victoria Park – organised by the council’s Active Lives and Sports Development team – have been donated to the Deafness Resource Centre, which will help towards improving the centre, raising its profile and providing resources for support groups.

The St Helens Santa Dash saw more than 250 people take part, raising valuable funds, while getting active.

After presenting the cheque for £650 to Helen Fitzgerald from The Deafness Resource Centre at St Helens Town Hall, Councillor Lynn Clarke, who sits on the management committee of The Deafness Resource Centre, based in her Windle ward, said:

“As Mayor of St Helens Borough, it’s a great honour to shine a spotlight and raise awareness on an often unsung and little-known charity like The Deafness Resource Centre which is very close to my heart and provides a crucial service for thousands of people in our communities and across the region.

“None of this would be possible without the support of services like Active Lives and Sports Development by deciding to donate all proceeds from fantastic events they put on such as the Santa Dash – and of course, the hundreds of people who signed up to take part. From the bottom of my heart – thank you so much. This money will go a long way in helping improve the lives of so many.”

“For the Mayor of St Helens Borough to choose us as her chosen charity is having a real positive effect on our profile,” said Helen Fitzgerald, Chief Officer of the Deafness Resource Centre.

“As a charity, particularly a small charity, we don’t get huge amounts of money and are on a tight budget every year, so this donation is fantastic – an added bonus that you don’t account for so a big thank you to everyone involved.”

Anyone wishing to support the Mayor’s Appeal can do so by sending donations directly to the Mayor’s Secretary, Democratic Services, St Helens Borough Council, St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Mayor’s Appeal Fund’.

The St Helens Santa Dash is just one of a number of events and activities delivered by Active Lives and Sports Development to increase physical activity and improve the health and wellbeing of residents. To find what else they offer throughout the year, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/sport

For more information on The Deafness Resource Centre, visit: https://deafnessresourcecentre.org

*D/deaf is a collective term used to describe people who are profoundly deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind.