One of the highlights of 2024 came in April, when Councillor Dr David Jefferys called our office with the wonderful news that he would be serving as the next Mayor of Bromley and that he and his wife, Ann-Marie, had chosen Welcare as one of his three nominated charities for the mayoral year.
What followed was a fascinating and inspiring journey into the life, history, and duties of a London borough mayor. We gained a deep appreciation for the incredible commitment shown not only by the Mayor but also by their consort and the dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every event ran smoothly.
The role of Mayor is a civic one, representing the borough as its First Citizen and acting as an ambassador on behalf of the King. Over the past 12 months, the mayor and his wife attended over 900 engagements, frequently several in a single day. While the Mayor’s official duty is to chair council meetings, the role does not involve executive powers. Instead, it is about celebrating community life and shining a light on the achievements, organisations, and people of Bromley.
There was much joy along the way from afternoon teas and civic carol services to quiz nights, walking the borough boundary (during almost the last period of rain we’ve had this year) and a moving art exhibition and talk at Bethlem Royal Hospital. Highlights also included a formal dinner at Apothecaries’ Hall and many other memorable occasions. We were especially honoured to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress to our Annual Service of Thanksgiving at Bromley Parish Church, and to have their support at other events such including the Newstead Singers’ concert.
Thanks to their tireless efforts, and the generosity of those who supported the Mayoral year, a magnificent £7,733 was raised in aid of Welcare’s work in Bromley. This supports our services directly but has also raised valuable awareness of our mission within the local community.
From all of us at Welcare: thank you, to the former Mayor and Mayoress, for your unwavering support and dedication. Your contribution will make a lasting difference to the lives of children and families in Bromley.
