Release Date: 06/05/2008
The Mayor-Elect, Cllr Helen Lee-Parsons, has announced three charities to support during her term in office.
The West Twickenham Councillor is due to be elected at the annual Mayor-making ceremony at York House on 20 May, succeeding Cllr Marc Cranfield-Adams.
Cllr Lee-Parsons has pledged her support to React, a national charity for children with a life-limiting illness; Richmond Homes for Life Trust, which provides residential homes and other services for people with learning disabilities; and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Cllr Lee-Parsons said:
“I am thrilled and honoured to be proposed for the role of Mayor for the coming year. It is my aim to promote greater unity and partnership working in our community.
“There are so many voluntary organisations working to improve the quality of people’s lives and I will use my Mayoralty to encourage ever stronger links between them, the Council and local businesses.
“I have selected what I believe are three excellent charities to support – both national and local - and a host of events throughout the year will raise much-needed money for them.
“The Alzheimer’s Society is particularly close to my heart as my family and I have experience of early onset dementia and know first-hand the value of its tremendous work.”
Cllr Lee-Parsons, who has three children, was first elected to the Council in 2006 having lived in the borough for over 30 years.
She worked in the travel industry for many years before deciding on a career change and took a degree in social policy and psychology. She is a former Richmond Council employee, engaging with people with learning disabilities, until standing down to run for election.
Before becoming a councillor, she had been a governor at Waldegrave School, sat on the Brunswick Youth Club Committee and the Richmond and Twickenham Health Council, was a tutor at Richmond College of Further Education, and was chair of the Leesons residents’ association in West Twickenham.
Cllr Lee-Parsons has chosen St Margaret's and North Twickenham Councillor, Geoff Acton, to be Deputy Mayor.
Reverend Jeff Hopkin-Williams from St Mary’s Church in Twickenham will be her principal chaplain.