Disappointing Christmas collection raises just £363 for children's hospital

by Lisa Reeves

Wednesday 14^th January 2015

Wed 14^th Jan 2015

A collection at the Alderley Edge Christmas lights switch on raised just £363 for Manchester Children's Hospital.

The Parish Council arranged for the collection to take place as it was agreed with James Hadfield-Hyde (Lord of Alderley), when he handed over his Royal Charter to them, that they would either hold a fundraising event or makes a donation to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on behalf of the people of Alderley Edge every Christmas.

Speaking at the Parish Council meeting on Monday, 12th January, Cllr Sue Joseph requested that the amount raised be topped up by the Parish Council to a round figure of £500, as a one off.

She said "They were a little bit hampered because they were unable to have a stall in the end. They put some buckets into some of the local restaurants and that's where most of the collection came from but it was rather difficult because it was quite dark and people couldn't see and it was also very busy. So we are going to look again at how that can be improved for next year.

"My suggestion is, I know we can't vote on it today, but I wanted to see what people thought about the Parish Council raising the donation to a total of £500 for an extremely good cause."

Cllr Frank Keegan responded that the Parish Council is not in a position to do this.

He said "The reason why we took the charter from Hadfield-Hyde was the ability to lay a charge for markets which are held, there was a market held at the switch on, now the money should have come from that. There should have been a fee from that and there should have been a collection. There was a charge for the stalls but nothing for the market, that's one of the things we need to clarify in the wash up meeting.

"We don't have the ability to give money to Manchester Children's Hospital. Once you start giving Manchester Children's Hospital you have got the school for the blind, there are hundreds of charities all round."

Cllr Mike Williamson added "It sets us determinedly on a path to make sure there is a good donation next year."

Tags:: Alderley Edge Christmas Lights Switch On, Alderley Edge Parish Council, James Hadfield-Hyde

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Sarah Lane

Wednesday 14^th January 2015 at 5:10 pm

I am sure we all want to give as much as we can spare especially at Christmas time but with so many wonderful charities hoping for donations its just not possible to keep on giving. As a family we like to support the Salvation Army around Christmas and scale down other donations to allow us to be extra generous. Perhaps the locally based property empire could match the donation....just a thought.

Christine Munro

Thursday 15^th January 2015 at 10:05 am

I was approached by ATAG (the Alderley Edge Traders Group) and the Parish Council to organise a Christmas Market to run in conjunction with the Christmas Light Switch On. I did this, and ALL the monies raised from the stall fees were sent directly to ATAG's treasurer. This money was used to pay for securirty for the night, mobile toilets, walkie talkies, and the hire of gazebos, generator and crew to set these up, all of which I organised and directed on the night. I ensured that the stall fees would cover all the costs of the above and neither ATAG nor the Council would have any additional money to pay. After all these costs had been paid there was no money left from the market stall fees to donate to any charity. I received no money for the work I did nor did I expect any. Representatives from Cheshire East, Alderley Edge Parish Council and ATAG were present at all the meetings to discuss the event so I cannot understand why Councillor Keegan is unaware of how the money from the market was spent. Surely details of the meetings were reported to the Council at their monthly meetings.

Jon Williams

Thursday 15^th January 2015 at 11:18 am

Looks kike we need to see the accounts of the AETG

Frank Keegan

Thursday 15^th January 2015 at 3:42 pm

I don’t remember the Parish Council asking for a market at the lights switch on - otherwise we would have conditioned it for a suitable donation. It was purely an AETAG initiative.

I am unaware of how the money from the market was spent because there have been no accounts issued. Public money (from the Parish Council re lights, road closures and paying for Officer time) has been spent, so, as Trevor says, we need some transparency by seeing the accounts from AETAG.

Also, in due course, I am sure that after 5 or 6 years we will be treated to the accounts of the May Fair committee. It would be of interest to many people to know how much has been raised and how much has been given over to charities.

James Hadfield-Hyde

Thursday 22^nd January 2015 at 2:42 pm

It was indeed a noble gesture of Cllr Sue Joseph to suggest that the modest amount of money raised should be topped up to £500.However, one must agree with Cllr Frank Keegan that the Parish Council does not have the liberty to donate public funds. He is also correct to remind the Parish Council that as holders of the Royal Charter, no Market or Fair may be held within the bounds of its jurisdiction without the Parish Council's permission, and a suitable levy should have been charged. I am most grateful to Cllr Mike Williamson for his enthusiasm and determination to make next year's donation to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital one worth celebrating. As parents and grandparents we must never be oblivious to the fact of how blessed we all are to have such a magnificent children's Hospital right here on the doorstep. It needs our constant support if it is to remain so.