Mayor reflects on year of pride, fundraising and community spirit

As the mayoral year draws to a close, outgoing Mayor of Barnsley, David Leech, has reflected on a memorable year spent bringing people together, supporting local charities and celebrating the borough’s strong community spirit.

Throughout the year, the Mayor attended a wide range of engagements, accompanied by the Mayoress, Alison Leech. These range from school visits to community events, connecting with residents right across Barnsley. A particular highlight has been spending time with young people, helping them learn more about the Town Hall, local history, and how democracy works.

As always, fundraising has been a key focus, with £36,106.50 raised for two charities chosen by the Mayor at the start of his term.

• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Barnsley - A unique service run by the bereaved for the bereaved, offering peer-to-peer support for adults affected by suicide loss.

• Help 4 Homeless Veterans - A Barnsley based charity supporting veterans of His Majesty’s Armed Forces facing homelessness across Yorkshire.

Representatives from both charities were invited to receive cheques for £18,053.25 each. The final amount includes funds raised through the Mayor’s Charity Golf Day, hosted by Wates, alongside match funding from the Wates Family Enterprise Trust. The money will support local people, including veterans adjusting to civilian life and families affected by suicide.

David said:

"It has been a real privilege to serve as Mayor and to meet so many people across our borough. Spending time with our young people has been especially rewarding, helping them learn more about our history and how our democracy works.

"I’m incredibly proud to have raised over £36,000 for charities supporting local people, made possible through the generosity of our communities and the support of partners including Wates. I’ve been truly inspired by the kindness, dedication, and community spirit I’ve seen throughout the year. From supporting our veteran community to seeing care homes achieve veteran-friendly accreditation, it has shown just how strong Barnsley is when we come together with compassion and a shared purpose.

"I would like to thank the residents of Barnsley, along with our partners and local organisations, for their continued support and generosity. On a personal note, I would also like to show my gratitude to Alison. You have supported me all my working life and it’s been lovely to share this experience with you as Mayor and Mayoress. This year has meant a great deal to me, and I’m proud to have represented such a strong and caring borough."

The next Mayor of Barnsley will be announced at the Annual Full Council on Friday 29 May.