Mayor's Story – Celebrating Community, Fitness, and Making a Difference
Meet Neil: From TV Producer to Mayor of Elmbridge
I was a TV line producer in the BBC’s drama department for over 25 years where I worked on many of the BBC’s most popular dramas until becoming a full time stay at home dad in 2007. I have lived in Long Ditton with my wife and two teenage daughters for 14 years and have represented Long Ditton on Elmbridge Council since 2015. In May, my fellow councillors nominated, and then elected, me to be the Mayor of Elmbridge for 2024/25. It is a great honour to hold this position, and my wife, Veronica, and I are invited to attend a very large number of local and community events across the whole of the Borough, in fact we have attended over a 110 so far. These have included various fundraisers for different charities, church services, youth groups, sporting events, armed forces services, choirs, cream teas and the odd formal dinner.
Celebrating Elmbridge’s Community Spirit
One of the best things is meeting local people who volunteer to help others and support their local communities; we have been truly moved by by the altruism and compassion we have seen in our trips around Elmbridge and it’s fantastic that we can give these people the recognition and thanks they deserve. Being the Mayor is also a huge responsibility, because we are given the opportunity to raise money for a local charity of our choice and, in addition, a small amount of the money raised by the Mayor each year goes to the Mayor of Elmbridge Trust.
Why Home-Start
Elmbridge?
As parents ourselves, we knew we wanted a charity that provides practical and emotional support to families who are struggling in the Borough – and as soon as we met the team from Home-Start Elmbridge the decision was made. We were inspired by their passion, and dedication and impressed by the way they have adapted the services they offer to ensure they always meet the specific needs of the families they work with.
The Mayor of Elmbridge Trust also supports local families, by providing funding for essentials -including furniture, household items or educational resources. Importantly for us, both of these charities provide help and support to local families when they are facing difficult times.
Raising Awareness and Building Support
As we have travelled around the Borough, we have tried to raise awareness of our chosen charity. We have been surprised by how many people are not only aware of the work of Home-Start Elmbridge, but have either been helped themselves, or know someone who has been helped by them. Without exception, the response has been incredibly positive about the crucial work they do and the difference they make to families and the opportunities for their children.
Community Fundraising and Events
In addition to the events we are organising ourselves, a number of local businesses, organisations, and local schools, are helping us to raise money. Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher has set up a Christmas choir to sing at various events for our charity; Thames Ditton Skiff and Boating club named our charities as beneficiaries for the Great River Race (in which the mayoress was a passenger in the winning Cutter); Barker Martial Arts in Claygate partnered with Home-Start Elmbridge for its charity Club Championships; and Weybridge Male Voice Choir are having a collection for us at its Christmas concert.
Many of you may have seen me, and my wife, collecting money at Colet’s fireworks display and Colets also made a very generous donation from the proceeds of the event and we would like to thank Ian and Eman for their support. A number of local schools have also agreed to have a mufti day, or other fundraising events, for the mayor’s charities.
We are incredibly grateful for the support we have been given by individuals, organisations and businesses across the Borough. This willingness to help and support others in the community is something we have seen repeatedly as we have travelled around the towns and villages in Elmbridge. Community is clearly very important to our residents and helping us to support our charity is just one of the many ways this is displayed.
We’re excited to announce two major events in 2024:
Mayor’s Ball – 7th March at Silvermere Golf Club. Expect a fabulous disco, special auction lots, and a raffle. For tickets, contact the Mayor’s Secretary at khobley@elmbridge.gov.uk.
Mayor’s Golf Day – 28th April at Silvermere Golf Club.
How You Can Help
Whilst raising money is very important, the recruitment of volunteers for Home-Start is also very important. Without these volunteers they can’t expand their service to help even more families in need. Training is provided, so if you have some spare time and are interested in joining them, please do get in touch with the team who will be happy to talk to you about that they do, and what volunteering entails - enquiries@home-start-elmbridge.org.uk.
There are lots of other ways you can help. If you are a business, or organisation, or school and you can think of a way of raising money to help, then please do get in touch. We are also always looking for raffle prizes for one of the many events we are running. But most excitingly, Veronica and I are hosting a firewalk (yes, we are literally walking on hot coals) at Painshill Park on 20 March. Full training is given on the night, and we are looking for lots of brave and adventurous people to join us. All you need to do is pay a £25 signing up fee and then raise £100 in sponsorship. There will be music, food, drinks and a great atmosphere, so why not get a group together to walk with us to support local families? If that’s not your thing, then please sponsor us and help us to reach our target of £10K.
To sign up or sponsor us - https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/4577/hot-coals-challenge/.
A Personal Thanks to Colets
A Personal Thanks to Colets
I am exceptionally grateful to Colets for supporting my fundraising efforts this year. I have been a very active member of Colets for three years and I love it; the staff are really supportive, from the friendly faces and ‘good morning Neil’ when I first walk in, the friends I have made, and the laughs we have, to the (questionable) music choices of Lynne whilst doing our workouts - what’s not to love?
When I first joined, I had very restricted mobility and struggled to walk any distance at all. With the help of the staff and facilities at the club, I am now far more mobile and able to get out and about and enjoy life again. I have gone from someone who did little formal exercise and rarely attended a gym, to regularly doing ten classes a week. I would like give a shout out to three team members who have been incredible and have helped me so much: Lynne at sit to get fit, Rodney from back care, and Tracey from Aqua.
Thank you – you are amazing!
Looking Ahead
As we approach Christmas and new year, it is a great time to reflect on our lives, how we take care of ourselves and what more we can do to help others. Veronica and I have five months to go of our mayoral year and we will be working as hard as we can to raise money for our charities. Please help in any way you can. I hope our legacy will be more trained volunteers for Home-Start Elmbridge so that they can continue with the brilliant work they do for the community.
I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that I am the Mayor of Elmbridge - a grand position for an ordinary bloke from a small town in Norfolk, it is a little bit similar to a certain fairytale often recounted in Christmas pantomimes … and we also have a cat! Anyway that’s enough from me but we would like to finish by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and if you are feeling generous then please do sponsor us “Every Little Helps”.