District council chairman

Year of fundraising to benefit Chairman’s worthwhile causes

Councillor Mary Robinson was re-elected as the Chairman of Eden District Council on 10 May 2018, by her fellow Members at the authority’s Annual Meeting.

Councillor Mary Robinson is already planning a series of fundraising events to benefit her chosen Chairman’s charities, Hospice at Home, the Great North Air Ambulance and Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.

Councillor Robinson said: “I am delighted to have been re-elected to serve as Chairman for Eden District Council. We have a fantastic and vibrant communities here in Eden, who I am proud to serve and represent in this civic capacity supported by Vice Chairman, Councillor William Patterson.

“Being Chairman is a real opportunity to fly the flag for Eden and champion the District and show what we have to offer to others. It also affords me the opportunity to raise money for three worthwhile causes that are close to many people’s hearts in Eden, Hospice at Home, the Great North Air Ambulance and the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.

“Hospice at Home provides comprehensive and high quality palliative care for adults who have a life limiting illness. This care and support is individualised to provide choices at all stages of illness and at the end of a person’s life. Care and support provided through the service also extends to family members/carers.

“This could be through a combination of nursing, occupational therapy, complementary therapy and family and bereavement support. Since 1997, Hospice at Home has supported 5,700 Cumbrian families which is a tremendous achievement and deserving of our support. 

“In a rural area such as Eden District, a medical emergency in a remote location can have life threatening consequences if the person needing medical attention does not get to a hospital in time. That is why the Great North Air Ambulance is such a valuable service for Cumbria and the 820sq miles of Eden District.

“The Great North Air Ambulance has a helicopter based at Langwathby, near Penrith, and two sister aircraft cover the North East and Cumbria. To operate these life saving services costs in the region of £6.1 million per annum, with fundraising activities/public donations generating around 7% of the money needed, or around £427,000. This is a lot of money to keep generating so I am glad to be able to support yet another worthwhile local cause.

"Penrith Mountain Rescue Team covers the largest geographic area of any of the Lakes District Mountain Rescue Teams. Our area stretches from the Scottish Border in the North to the Northumberland Border in the East, down the North Pennines to High Cup Nick above Dufton in the South, with the North-eastern fells of the Lake District (Haweswater) making up our Western boundary. We often work alongside our neighbouring Mountain Rescue teams, particularly Patterdale and Kirkby Stephen. The team is entirely funded by donations and all members are unpaid volunteers, willing to respond any day of the year in any weather.

“Over the next few months, I will be developing a calendar of Chairman’s events, where I hope to raise money to support these worthwhile causes.

Any companies or individuals who would like to support these fundraising events, please contact me through the Chairman’s Secretary, using the contact details below.

Role of the Chairman

The main role of the Chairman is to act as the non-political, civic and ceremonial head of the District of Eden. The role of the Chairman also includes:

• Chairing meetings of the Council;
• Communication with private and voluntary sector organisations across the District;
• Acting as official host to visitors to the District;
• To represent the District at ceremonial events;
• To promote public involvement in the Council's activities.

Invitations to the Chairman

Invite the Chairman to attend an event online.

The Chairman welcomes invitations to attend events in the District. Invitations are dealt with strictly in order of receipt. The Chairman likes to be well briefed about any function to be attended, therefore, it is best that you provide as much information as possible. On some occasions it may not be possible for the Chairman to attend. Should this be the case, the Vice-Chairman will deputise for the Chairman where possible.

List of Chairman's engagements for the municipal year 2018-2019