TROWBRIDGE’S outgoing mayor said she is "overwhelmed" after raising more money than any previous mayor in a mayoral year, following a huge fundraising campaign involving the whole community.

Linda Self was congratulated by her former peers at her final council meeting yesterday evening after it was announced she raised a staggering £11,453 for her two chosen charities – over £6,000 more than any previous mayor.

Representatives from the two charities, Breakthrough Trowbridge and Alzheimer’s Support, were on hand to receive their cheques and express their gratitude.

Mrs Self said: “It was a great privilege and honour to be mayor and I’m absolutely over the moon having raised that amount for two brilliant charities – I feel extremely proud.

“A lot of fundraising took place and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved, as well my two secretaries, Alison Ward and Trish Carpenter, who were brilliant.

“I was determined to raise as much as possible for the charities and I’m so glad people got behind me and shared my enthusiasm.”

Fundraising included numerous bag packs at Tesco Express, quizzes at the Kings Arms pub, a sponsored silence by councillor Anne Ball and the Three Peaks Challenge, completed by a team of town council staff, which raised £4,519.

The overall total has been evenly split between the two charities and will enable them to continue and improve their respective services, with Breakthrough putting the money towards the redevelopment planned at the former Carpenters Arms pub, which it hopes to transform into a hub for the homeless.

Breakthrough chairman Barrie Dearlove said: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the mayor and all those who climbed mountains, completed quizzes and everything else.

“This money will help us massively as we look to purchase a new property, which will benefit homeless people in the Trowbridge area."