Many Thanks To Former Mayor Cllr Peter Baillie For Support Over The Past Year As He Volunteers To Befriend
We want to give our heartfelt thanks to the outgoing Mayor this month who supported the organisation during his mayoral year.
2019-2020 Mayor, Councillor Peter Baillie, chose Communicare as one of his charities of the year and, despite his tenure ending, he is still helping it out as a volunteer befriender.
Communicare Manager, Annie Clewlow said: “We were delighted to have been one of Cllr Baillie’s chosen charities during the past 12 months and would like to thank him for all his support. However, it’s not over yet, as he has recently joined our team of telephone volunteers.
“One of the things, he has been doing is giving some of our service users, who are lonely and isolated a call. He is particularly keen to chat to those who are stuck at home self-isolating during this pandemic.
“Peter has supported us wholeheartedly and courageously during his mayoral year, including taking part in our ‘splash for cash’ diving event earlier in 2020. He bravely took to the diving board at The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex to help raise nearly £1,000 for us along with 10 other intrepid fundraisers!
“We couldn’t have hoped for a more brilliant relationship and are even more thrilled that he has now joined us as a Communiteer.”
Cllr Baillie said: “I would like to thank Communicare for being one of my mayoral charities. I was impressed with what the staff and volunteers did before my year started, but I am even more impressed now I have seen them closer-up during the year. The recent pandemic has shone an even greater light on the importance of supporting charities like this and how vital it is for us all to be more neighbourly.
“I think, because restrictions have started to relax, it’s easy for many people to think that’s it, and charities like Communicare and their service users no longer need help, but they do. Their service users still can’t, understandably, socialise in the way they used to do at lunches and teas, and many live alone and don’t have family or friends nearby. Some still can’t leave home. By being a befriender and calling them regularly, they can at least have a chat with someone, even if they aren’t able to get out to meet others at social gatherings. It’s really important to support our communities at a grassroots level through this next period in our country’s and city’s history.”