With Andrew Lloyd Webber close to finding a new star for The Wizard of Oz this weekend, another Dorothy has left centre stage.
And outgoing Mayor of Barrow, Councillor Dorothy Dawes, went out in style – handing out nearly £7,000 to charities and organisations.
The money was raised at a series of mayoral charity fund-raising events over the year, including a Christmas coffee morning at the Town Hall and fun day at the Dock Museum.
Cllr Dawes told the Evening Mail of the special reasons for choosing her three main charities – and gave £1,500 each to Barrow RNLI, St Mary’s Hospice and North West Air Ambulance.
She said she was a member of the Lifeboat Ladies Guild; the hospice helped her following the death of her husband Eric a few years ago; and the air ambulance helped save the life of a friend’s husband following a serious road accident.
After handing out the cheques in the Mayor’s Parlour, Cllr Dawes formally handed over the reins at the council’s annual meeting.
Council leader Councillor Jack Richardson said: “Dorothy has conducted the office with a mixture of dignity and humility but also shown she can be firm on occasions. She has attended events right across the north west and been a credit to the borough. We wish her well in the future.”
Cllr Dawes, 75, who is continuing as a councillor, said she had enjoyed her time as mayor although it had left her extremely tired. She particularly thanked the three girls in her office, Mandy Pollard, Emma O’Sullivan and Karen Singleton, driver Paul West and her Mayoress Kay Hollis.
The total donated was £6,850, distributed to: North West Air Ambulance, £1,500; Barrow Lifeboat, £1,500; St Mary’s Hospice, £1,500; Duddon Inshore Rescue, £250; Barrow Sea Cadets, £250; Barrow Army Cadets, £250; Barrow Air Cadets, £250; South Cumbria Girl Guides, £300; Barrow Scouts, £300; The Brennan Rooney Appeal, £250; Walney First Responders, £250; Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment £250.
Article by Graham Dixon
Published by www.nwemail.co.uk
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