A FORMER Mayor of Dudley has handed over more than £35,000 raised for charity during her term in office.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, who was Mayor from May 2023 to April this year, met representatives from three of her four chosen charities for 2023/24 in the parlour.

Dudley Community First Responders, Mary Stevens Hospice and Ups and Downs will all receive £10,000 each.

The remaining £5,172.04 will go the former first citizen’s fourth chosen charity, Prostate Cancer UK.

Cllr Goddard, who represents Hayley Green and Cradley South for the Conservatives, said: “I was extremely proud to serve this borough as Mayor, and I’m absolutely delighted to be able to hand over such a large amount of money to four very worthy charities.

“Dudley Community First Responders is a charity which supports the ambulance service on emergency calls.

“Mary Stevens Hospice has been providing high quality care for people living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses since 1991.

“Ups and Downs provides support and advice for children, adults and families affected by Down’s Syndrome. And Prostate Cancer raises money for people and families affected by cancer.

“It has been an honour to use the platform I was given to raise the profile of these four incredible charities, and I hope the funding will go some way to helping them continue with the excellent work they do in our communities.”

She added: “It has been a privilege to meet so many wonderful people from all walks of life during my Mayoral year, and I want to thank everyone who donated to give us this wonderful sum to hand over today.”

The new Mayor of Dudley, Labour councillor Hilary Bills, has chosen three charities to support during her year in office. They are Access in Dudley, Diabetes UK and the Friends of Dudley Performing Arts.