ANBC Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick celebrates £5,585 fundraising success at inaugural dinner

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick and & Mayor’s Consort, Gary Kirkpatrick photographed with their daughter, Emilie Kirkpatrick.

The Inaugural Dinner of the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, has raised £5,585 in support of three local charities.

The event, hosted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, was held at the Dunadry Hotel and Gardens and brought together the Mayor’s family and friends, Freeman of the Borough, elected members, charity representatives, and local businesses.

Funds raised will go to the Mayor’s three chosen charities: The British Deaf Association, The Macmillan Unit at Antrim Hospital, and All About Us – ASD Teens Antrim.

Joanne Currie from the Macmillan Cancer Unit, Mayor Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, Majella McAteer Manager from the British Deaf Association NI (BDA), and Christina O’Neill, Founder of ASD Teens are pictured at the Mayor’s Inaugural Dinner, held at the Dunadry Hotel, Antrim.

Reflecting on the evening, Councillor Kirkpatrick expressed her pride in both the fundraising effort and the support shown by the community.

She said:

“I am extremely proud to serve as the first female Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey since its formation in 2015. It is an immense honour, and I hope that my journey can encourage young women, to see that public life is open to them - that their voices matter and their ambitions should know no limits.

“The first three months in office have been inspiring. I have met so many wonderful people, whose commitment and community spirit make our Borough such a great place to live, work and visit.

Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick is pictured with Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Gilmour

“I am delighted we have raised over £5000 for my three chosen charities and I would like to thank everyone for their kind donations which will support these charities in making a valuable contribution to our community.”

The Mayor’s Charities initiative will continue throughout her term, with further fundraising activities planned in support of the three organisations.

Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick with members of Antrim Chamber of Commerce who kindly sponsored a table at the event and provided Raffle Prizes

Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick pictured with Deputy Lieutenant, Jacqui Dixon MBE and Rev Campbell Dixon MBE

The Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick with staff from the Junction Shopping Complex who kindly sponsored a table at the event and provided Raffle Prizes

The Mayor is pictured with Catherine and Eugene McKeever, from the McKeever Group – owners of the Dunadry Hotel who hosted the evening and also the Mayor’s wedding which took place earlier this year

(L-R) Michael Laverty; Director of Sustainability; Chief Executive, Richard Baker GM; The Honourable Rowena Baker; Mayor, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick; Mayor’s Consort, Gary Kirkpatrick; Sandra Cole, Director of Finance and Governance; Ursula Fay, Director of Community Planning

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey pictured with her chaplain, Reverend John Gilkinson

(L-R) Roy McGivern, Chairman of Linfield F.C. who provided raffle prizes; Mayor, Councillor Leah Smyth and Mayor’s Consort, Gary Kirkpatrick

For more information or to donate, visit: www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/mayorscharities