Beverley mayor chooses two charities to support

Beverley town mayor Cllr Linda Johnson has revealed the thought process behind her chosen charities was to ensure that people in her town are supported.

Each year, the mayor chooses a charity to support from which funds raised throughout the year at various events are donated.

For her 2022-23 term, Cllr Johnson will aid both Guide Dogs for the Blind and Open Doors.

Guide Dogs for the Blind has a puppy training centre on Annie Reed Road and Open Doors is a Hull-based charity which provides fellowship, destitution and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers.

Toll Gavel United Church in Beverley, where Cllr Johnson is a member, supports Open Doors.

“The Guide Dogs charity is a fantastic charity and one which I felt compelled to fundraise for following a chance meeting,” she told Beverley Life.

“I was at a north Hull polling station and a blind man with a guide dog entered and asked me for directions.

“I got talking to him and met his guide dog, Buddy.

“The man told me that he was on his third dog and that he really could not live his life without one, but he knew of others who had gone without, particularly during COVID.

“Not only are these fantastic animals being your eyes, they are also a friend keeping you safe.

“Guide dogs help give people with no, little or poor sight independence they otherwise wouldn’t have.
“The breeding programme was disrupted during COVID and that is something done in Beverley.

“I visited recently and there were seven puppies in training, but not all of them will pass.

“It’s not just about funds and giving someone a guide dog, the charity also requires sighted guides for things such as shopping and days out.”

Throughout her term, Cllr Johnson will be hosting a variety of events to support both charities, as well as Toll Gavel United Church.

Her civic service will take place on Sunday 16th October and a coffee morning and activities on the church’s driveway on Saturday 29th October will benefit them.

On Open Doors, Cllr Johnson said: “Open Doors is based on Princes Avenue in Hull and offers help to refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers.

“This is something we have all seen first-hand recently with Ukrainian refugees coming to Beverley and also Syrians and Afghans previously.

“Open Doors provides fellowships, assists with claims and teaches them English.

“My thought process when choosing my charities was to ensure that people in my town are supported, which is why I have chosen Guide Dogs for the Blind and Open Doors.”

A pantomime on Saturday 17th December at Toll Gavel United Church will see proceeds split between the church and Open Doors.

There will also be a stall on Saturday Market this weekend (10th September) to raise awareness and funds for Guide Dogs and the mayor will be attending in the afternoon.