I WOULD like to put on record my personal thanks, to the Mayor, Mayoress, his staff and the members of his charity committee for all the support and encouragement they have given me since I decided to organise a Valentine's Charity Ball.

Last September I decided on an exclusive event, to be held in one of our most prestigious establishments, with ticket prices which would reflect such an event and location, and what a success it has turned out to be.

In the beginning and outside the above group there was scepticism that such an event could be organised in the Crewe area. I was also told that if organised it would not raise any money for the charity, the ticket prices were too high, and so many other objections.

However I remained positive, as I had faith in our borough. I took seriously the Mayor's theme "Of giving Time" and so I set about my self imposed challenge. I am a Borough Councillor for the West Park Ward, and naturally proud of the Borough, I want to see it lifted and seen positively as a nice place to live and work. We have so many people in this country, who seem to enjoy thinking negatively and like to put people and our area down.

This Borough has a lot to be proud of, and after the wonderfully sincere response I have received, I certainly feel confident in the local people and businesses.

I sold 110 tickets to the ball and I can confirm that everyone, without exception, paid in full for their tickets. This raised £5,500 Direct Donation to the fund. I would like to thank the South and East Cheshire TEC for their donation and all those who gave sponsorship for the event.

The night itself was a great success and everyone who attended had a super time. We were entertained as we arrived by Joyce West singing accompanied by Doug Saville on the piano. We had a superb dinner laid on by Crewe Hall, and between courses we were entertained by close up Magic and Mystery by Mr Melvin Lehair. After dinner we then danced the night away to Specialist Black Tie Disco by Ray.

A special thank you to my husband and Consort, for his total support and help, also to Judy McNeil for all the beautifully designed stationery and finally to Mr Philip Humphreys for his professional participation in the evening and the subsidy of the event.

In the final analysis, I have raised £2,961.50 for the Mayor's Charity Funds. I am so proud of everyone concerned. It has been confirmed by the Mayor, in his letter of congratulations, that I have achieved a record breaking single fund-raising event, in the history of the charity committee.

Deputy Mayor

Cllr Maureen Campbell

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.