ON HER FIRST DAY AS MAYOR, Cllr Pat Martin was officially welcomed into her role as Volunteering Champion at a special celebration lunch on Friday 22nd May. Representatives from volunteer supporting organisations came together not only to welcome the new Mayor but also to say a special thank you to the former Mayor Cllr Ray Burston, who has flown the flag for volunteers all over Dudley borough during his time in office.
Dudley Council for Voluntary Service hosted the celebration at one the borough’s key volunteer involving organisations, St Thomas’s Community Network in Dudley. Invited guests got to to see first hand the difference volunteers make through presentations from local people, before the Mayor and Cllr Burston were both formally thanked for their support. The Mayor then got to meet some of the volunteers whose causes she will be championing over the coming months.
To round off the celebrations, the Mayor and former Mayor werel invited to cut a celebration cake bearing smaller versions of themselves waving a ‘Volunteering Counts’ banner! Andy Gray, Chief Officer for Dudley Council for Voluntary Service said, “We are delighted to welcome the Mayor into her new role on her first day in office and know that Cllr Martin will be a fantastic champion for our boroughs volunteers. It’s great to also have an opportunity to formally thank Cllr Burston as he has been a fantastic ambassador for the countless groups and organisations who are supported by us throughout the year”.
