Leek's new Mayor has announced her chosen charities for the 2021-22 year.

Leek Nub News reported previously how Cllr Lyn Swindlehurst was named the new Mayor of Leek for the 2021-22 year at a meeting of Leek Town Council held last month.

Now Cllr Swindlehurst has named her chosen charities for her year as Mayor, which will be supported by a range of fundraising events throughout the year.

Those charities are Borderland Voices, which supports people with mental health issues by helping them get involved in arts activities, and Family Action, which supports those experiencing poverty and social isolation.

Cllr Swindlehurst explained her choices in a post on the Leek Town Council website.

She said: "I am proud and humble to be elected Leek Town Mayor. I pledge to do my best for all our communities, and welcome those that visit the town as friends.

"Six generations of the Swindlehurst family have made Leek their home. Market gardeners, silk industry buyers, teachers, nurses. I am proud to follow in their footsteps.

"My husband, daughter and son in law, and our two beautiful grandsons, live and work in Leek, Like so many 'Leekensians' they want to make it their 'forever' home.

"The pandemic has left a heavy legacy on our town, and in our communities. We have lost loved ones to the virus and many are still battling the scourge of long Covid. The local economy continues to make efforts to rebuild, needing our support more than ever.

"Despite the continuing success of the NHS vaccine programme, the future remains uncertain, with the continuing emergence of different strains of the virus in various parts of the country. I would urge everyone to continue to follow public health guidelines.

"Now, more than ever, we all need to be supporting each other.

"I want us to all sign up to a strong message. I intend to be a clear voice that says Leek is a friendly, welcoming town."

Discussing her chosen charities, she continued: "It's a long-held tradition that Mayors have a 'Mayor's Charity' fund. For the forthcoming year I shall be fund raising for two charities in particular.

"Borderland Voices is a fantastic local organisation. For over twenty years it has been supporting those with mental health issues.

"Through the medium of arts such as painting, drawing, poetry, and prose, people come together, share their experiences, make friends, and are given the support they need in order to develop ways of coping and becoming stronger.

"Throughout the pandemic volunteers have been reaching out through social media, Zoom meetings, and phone calls, to make sure users don't become isolated.

"Family Action is a national organisation that seeks to transform lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation.

"Locally, they support children and families through the provision of a range of initiatives."