Mayor’s charity receives £1,000 27.05.2009
The Mayor of Pendle has presented a local choir with a cheque for £1,000 at Blackburn College’s Mayoral Awards Ceremony.
The awards were a unique opportunity to celebrate the College’s long standing commitment to providing excellent education opportunities throughout Pennine Lancashire, as well as recognising the efforts of local heroes.
The College has given each of Lancashire’s boroughs £1,000 to donate to a young person, charity or organisation of their choice to symbolise their support and commitment to young people and the communities it serves.
Who should receive the monetary gift was a personal choice from each Mayor, as the College’s only specification was to choose someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the local community.
Councillor Shelagh Derwent chose to present the cheque to David Wilkinson, ambassador at Pendle’s Youth and Children’s Choir, as the Choir are planning a trip abroad and the money is going to be used to subsidise the children who are unable to go due to expenses.
David Wilkinson, conductor at Pendle Youth Choir, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the money and are overjoyed that the Mayor has chosen to support us.
“Twenty-six choir members are going to Venice to sing at St. Mark’s Basilica which will cost over £8000, so this donation will make a substantial difference and means that we won’t be leaving anyone behind.
“Three of the choir members sang at the awards ceremony and were very excited when we were presented with the cheque – it’s a wonderful gesture,” he concluded.
Ian Clinton, Principal at Blackburn College, said: “Being the largest and oldest College in the county the awards ceremony was a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the College’s educational achievements.
“It was also a time to reflect on the critical importance of accessing a strong education system on our doorstep and providing a high quality education system for our young people.
“Educating young people is one of the most important investments we can make,” he concluded.
Sir Bill Taylor, the College’s Chairman of Governors and former Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: “It's just over a year now since I became chair of the College governing body.
“The College's reach is right across Pennine Lancashire, transforming people's lives as they learn and gain qualifications to open new, bigger and further doors in their lives and those of their families.”
The five other boroughs that were involved with the Awards Ceremony were Burnley, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley.
For further information on courses available at Blackburn College please contact Student Services on 01254 29-29-29 or visit their website www.blackburn.ac.uk.
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