The mayor and mayoress of Ely held a fundraising gala at The Maltings last Friday to fundraise for and celebrate the local NSPCC branch.

Mayor of Ely, Cllr Chris Phillips, and mayoress Mrs Mary Rone held the event following Mary’s decision to name the NSPCC as the city’s charity of the year.

More than 100 guests, including former Ely mayors, were treated to musical acts from The Allen Family, a five-piece string quartet, Julia Stead, who sang a selection of ballads and The Loose Covers, playing covers from the 1960’s until the present day, as well as a selection of finger foods.

Ely Standard: Mayoress of Ely Mary Rone recently named the NSPCC as the city’s charity of the year.Mayoress of Ely Mary Rone recently named the NSPCC as the city’s charity of the year. (Image: NSPCC)

Cllr Phillips said: “I would like to sincerely thank The Maltings for helping us to put on this event this evening. Ely is a city of great talent, and we were privileged to hear some of its musicality this evening.

“I would also like to thank the NSPCC Committee for all their hard work. The purpose of the evening was to raise money for a very good cause, but along the way it was also important for us to enjoy ourselves with good people, music, and food.

“The good work of the branch is known to us all and there are many thousands of children and young people who benefit from the work of this organisation and tonight was about making a contribution to that and I think we achieved it.”

Ely Standard: Most of the branch's funding comes through donations.Most of the branch's funding comes through donations. (Image: NSPCC)

Last year, the NSPCC Ely Branch raised over £16,000 for the charity with various events including jazz evenings and summer suppers and this year they want to raise even more.

Johanna Partridge from the NSPCC Ely Committee said: “For over 40 years this branch has continued to build on our fundraising efforts for the charity and we have a lot of support from the local community, which aids us in our efforts.

“We have many events planned throughout 2024 and are hoping to attract some new members to help us expand on this work.”

NSPCC Trustee for the East and schools service volunteer, Derrick Mortimer, who also attended the event, added: “I’m a school’s service volunteer and I go around schools in Cambridgeshire and teach children a programme called Speak out, Stay safe.

“This is aimed at Key Stage 1 and 2 primary school children and helps them to understand where to go and who to speak to if they have any worries or concerns.

“Most of our funding comes through donations, so without the generosity from guests at events like this one it simply wouldn’t be possible to deliver these vital services to children.”

To  more about being part of the NSPCC Ely Branch or how you can attend and support a forthcoming event, you can contact johanna.partridge@hotmail.co.uk