MAYOR'S CHARITIES
The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Anne Millward, has chosen to support two charities during her Mayoral year.
"Becoming Mayor of Dudley is one of my proudest moments as it is a great honour to serve as the first citizen of the borough in which I call home.
"Choosing my charities for the year was a privilege but an easy decision to make. I have long admired the Duke of Edinburgh’s work with young people and how the Duke of Edinburgh award aims to give young people greater experiences and encourage them to believe in themselves, so they go on to achieve greater things.
"It’s an honour to support the work of the charity but also to raise funds in memory of the Duke.
"I have also been inspired by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and all they have done to raise awareness of mental health and tackle taboos.
"Many people have struggled with their mental health in the last year as a result of the pandemic and I’m pleased to be able to raise vital funds for Dudley Mind and support the work they do to help people in our borough.
Dudley Mind works to promote the preservation and maintenance of good mental wellbeing as well as assisting people experiencing emotional or mental distress. We treat everyone as a unique individual recognising that everyone’s journey is different. We have a dedicated staff team, volunteer force and board of trustees who work tirelessly to ensure no-one is less unsupported.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a registered charity, funded by donations, Participation Places and licences. Since its inception in 1956 by HRH, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, it has continued to grow and evolve, maintaining its relevance and increasing its impact on the lives of young people. It gives young people aged 14-24 the opportunity to take on personal challenges, surpass their own expectations and achieve goals they may have previously thought impossible.
For some, it may be a life-changing experience as they discover new interests and talents, make new friends and develop essential skills for life and work, giving them the confidence and resilience they need to make the most out of life and make a difference to the world around them.
Today, the charity works with thousands of organisations across the UK to run the DofE, including schools, academies, youth groups, businesses, voluntary organisations, fostering agencies, young offender institutions and hospitals, enabling young people from all backgrounds and circumstances to enjoy and benefit from the challenge of taking on DofE. It is also internationally recognised and delivered in over 130 countries.
The Mayor will be raising funds for this charity and will be specifically for the support of young people across Dudley borough.