Rochford District Council's outgoing Chairman, Cllr Mike Steptoe, has fundraised more than £7000 for his chosen charities.
During his year in office, from May 2022, Cllr Steptoe selected Achievement Through Football and Trust Links as his Chairman's Charites. Both are locally based charities which provide help and activities to the local community.
The Chairman helped organise fundraising events and held raffles, raising a total of £7347.90.
Cllr Mike Steptoe said: “I chose these charities because they are a great source of help to young people. After the last few years, the need for support for families, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, is huge and I am glad that through these organisations we can make a difference.”
Trust Links is a local independent charity for mental health, wellbeing and the environment.
Matt King, from Trust Links, said: “We are delighted and honoured and would like to thank Cllr Mike Steptoe for choosing Trust Links as his adopted charity. We run Growing Together therapeutic community gardens, REACH Wellbeing Hub and Recovery College, Eco Days environment workshops, and a range of projects and activities for young people to improve mental health. We have a centre in College Gardens in Rochford, and this is a base for a wide range of activities, aiming to improve mental health and wellbeing.”
Achievement Through Football works with communities at risk of exclusion, helping develop safe environments that increase opportunity, aspiration and achievement.
Stuart Long, from Achievement Through Football, said: “It’s fantastic being one of the Chairman’s chosen charities. We work in some of the most underserved areas of the county. The project works with councils, schools, and the probation service to help young people involved in the criminal justice system and those excluded from mainstream education.”
For more information about our new Chairman, Cllr Jack Lawmon, or if you would like to invite the Chairman to your local event, please visit our dedicated Chairman page.