Maldon Mayor, Councillor Andrew Lay, has chosen two charities which will benefit from the Mayor of Maldon's Charity Fund.

Cllr Andrew Lay was re-elected as Maldon Town Mayor for a third consecutive term in May.

This year, he has decided that the Mayor of Maldon's Charity Fund will benefit Farleigh Hospice and Action for Family Carers Maldon.

Farleigh is the local hospice charity that provides specialist care and support, free of charge, to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid-Essex, including in Maldon and Heybridge.

Action for Family Carers Maldon has been supporting carers in Essex for decades. It aims to make a positive difference to unpaid family carers, offering counselling, community groups, GP liaison, family support, and more.

Debbie de Boltz, Head of Fundraising at Farleigh, said, "We are very grateful to the Mayor of Maldon, Councillor Andrew Lay, for choosing Farleigh Hospice as one of his charities of the year.

"Farleigh has very close ties with the area as one of our teams that provides specialist care in patient's own homes is based in Maldon. We also receive fantastic support from the local community through our stores in the Bentalls Shopping Centre in Heybridge and in Maldon High Street and our clearance warehouses near Morrisons.

"We are greatly looking forward to working with Councillor Lay over the next year."

The Mayor recently visited the Farleigh Hospice High Street store and met with volunteers and the manager, Gary Jarman. 

Gary Jarman and Cllr Andrew Lay alongside the Farleigh Hospice High Street Store. (Photo: FH)

They discussed the environmental importance of recycling and passing on unwanted items for others to use, as well as the urgent need for more shop volunteers.

He also met with Colin Stracey, from Premier Sailing, at The Hythe in Maldon to find out about this summer's Sail for Farleigh fundraising event. 

There are still places available for new or experienced sailors on this voyage around the UK coastline. It is split into seven, week-long legs and people can choose to do one or more to raise money for Farleigh.

Cllr Lay and Colin Stracey from Premier Sailing. (Photo: FH)

Afterwards, Councillor Lay said, "I have met people who have been cared for and supported by Farleigh Hospice and I am humbled by the selfless dedication of its staff, which is why it is one of my

designated charities. Today was a great opportunity to highlight the work that Farleigh does and, in particular, to thank some of the local people that support this noble cause."

To find out more about volunteering at a Farleigh store and the charity's fundraising events, including Sail For Farleigh, go to the website.