The former Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane has presented two local charities with cheques raised from his charity appeal during his year in office.

 

Cllr Colin Phillimore, who was the borough’s Mayor during 2025/26, has thanked local people for donating a total of £10,000 to his Mayor’s Charity Appeal, to be shared between the Whitchurch Community Swimming Pool and St Michael’s Hospice.

 

The funds were raised via direct donations as well as by the Mayoral charity events throughout Cllr Phillimore’s year as Mayor, including the Mayor’s Variety Show and Rock Show, both of which took place at The Anvil.

 

The money raised was handed over to representatives from both charities at a short ceremony at the Civic Offices.

 

Cllr Phillimore said: “I am very grateful to everyone that supported my charity appeal, whether that was by attending one of my fundraising events or by simply putting a few coins into a collection bucket.

 

“The money raised will make a big difference to these two local charities and will ultimately benefit our communities.”

 

Janin Cromarty, Trustee of Whitchurch Community Swimming Pool, said “For a small, volunteer-led charity like ours, £5,000 is not just a nice addition to a fundraising total, it has genuine value. It helps us pay for the equipment, improvements and infrastructure needed to turn an empty, closed swimming pool back into something that can be used by thousands of people in our community for years to come.”

 

Sarah Webb, Community Engagement Fundraiser at St Michael’s Hospice, added: “Thank you for your generosity, kindness and ongoing support. This wonderful donation could fund more than 218 hours of nursing care or provide 26 hours of support from our Hospice at Home team, helping more people receive expert care in the comfort of their own homes.”

 

To find out more about the Mayor and this year’s charity appeal, please visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/mayor