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‘Fantastic’ South Holland District Council chairman raises £21k for Spalding Mencap and Blood Cancer UK and thanks supporters after two year stint




Thousands of pounds have been raised for charity by a council chairman.

Coun Andrew Woolf held an event at Ayscoughfee Hall in Spalding on Sunday (May 11) to thank guests who have supported him during his two years as chairman of South Holland District Council.

Described by those attending as ‘fantastic’, Mr Woolf’s fundraising has totalled £21,000 which will contribute to his chosen charities Spalding Mencap and Blood Cancer UK.

Coun Andrew Woolf gives his thankyou speech. PHOTOS: JENNY BEAKE, Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press
Coun Andrew Woolf gives his thankyou speech. PHOTOS: JENNY BEAKE, Spalding Guardian and Lincolnshire Free Press

He said: “Thank you to all of you because in one way or another you have helped me.

“I am so grateful to everybody - I could not have done any of this without you.

“It has been an honour to be chairman and hopefully I have done a good job.”

Imogen Woolf, Andrew and Wendy Woolf, Peter Bowd
Imogen Woolf, Andrew and Wendy Woolf, Peter Bowd

Coun Woolf has led the way in coming up with ideas for fundraising events and making them happen.

These have included two black-tie balls held at Springfields Event and Conference Centre, quizzes, coffee mornings, a Santa fun run and two stand-up comedy nights at the South Holland Centre.

He said: “I wanted to raise as much money as I could for the charities.

Guests enjoyed the surroundings of Ayscoughfee Hall
Guests enjoyed the surroundings of Ayscoughfee Hall

“I would like to see the Santa run carry on in one guise or another.

“Hopefully I have left some legacies and they will be continued.”

Coun Woolf thanked his wife Wendy and his PA Samantha Bradley for their support.

Coun James Le Sage, PA Samantha Bradley, Coun Sam Chauhan and Becs Roberts attended the thankyou event at Ayscoughfee Hall
Coun James Le Sage, PA Samantha Bradley, Coun Sam Chauhan and Becs Roberts attended the thankyou event at Ayscoughfee Hall

Samantha said: “He has treated people with so much respect and kindness.

“He thought outside the box for the open mic night and it worked.

“He pushed the boundaries of what you can do and made all the events pay.”

Coun Nick Worth thanked Coun Andrew Woolf for his time as chairman
Coun Nick Worth thanked Coun Andrew Woolf for his time as chairman

Leader of the district council, Coun Nick Worth, thanked him for his work as chairman over two years.

He said: “Everyone does it differently and Andrew has been quite exceptional.

“He has done a fantastic job and has been a fantastic ambassador for South Holland.

Former Flower Queen and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist, Coun Andrew Woolf and Becs Roberts
Former Flower Queen and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist, Coun Andrew Woolf and Becs Roberts

“We will miss you in that role.”

Guests included friends, fellow councillors and contributors to fundraising events held in the community.

They enjoyed canapés and refreshments provided by The Red Lion catering team, general manager Kirsty Berry, head chef Keiran Healey with help from Ruby and Annie.

Former Queen and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist and Becs Roberts said Coun Woolf has been supportive of the Spalding Flower Parade
Former Queen and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist and Becs Roberts said Coun Woolf has been supportive of the Spalding Flower Parade

Last year’s Spalding Flower Parade Queen Becs Roberts and Deputy Demi Fontaine Gilchrist both attended the event.

Coun Woolf described the committee as ‘having worked their socks off' for this year's parade which took place on Saturday (May 10).

Becs said: “Andrew has been a really great support and a lot of fun.”

Left: Members of Welland Yacht Club Sarah and Andy Prior, Andy and Lisa Agar with Stuart East and Julie Grant from Spalding Lions Club
Left: Members of Welland Yacht Club Sarah and Andy Prior, Andy and Lisa Agar with Stuart East and Julie Grant from Spalding Lions Club

Demi added: “He has been a very good support throughout and full of good ideas to help raise money for the parade and for his own charities.”

Members of Welland Yacht Club, commodore Sarah Prior and husband Andy, who acts as secretary also joined the praise of Mr Woolf along with members from Spalding Lions Club.

Julie Grant, Spalding Lions vice president, said: “Andrew has supported Spalding Lions by tirelessly coming out with us.

Coun Andrew Woolf, Chris and Hendrina Tibbs, Mandy Baker
Coun Andrew Woolf, Chris and Hendrina Tibbs, Mandy Baker

“He is so down to earth and has been an exception.”

Guests Mandy Baker, Hendrina and Chris Tibbs described Mr Woolf as ‘giving his all’ to charity work and that he ‘enthuses everybody.’

Fellow councilors Ingrid Sheard, Sam Chauhan, Jan Whitbourn and James Le Sage and Alison White from the SHDC communities team also sang the popular chairman’s praises.

Coun Andrew Woolf , Linda and Coun Anthony Casson with Coun Jan Whitbourn
Coun Andrew Woolf , Linda and Coun Anthony Casson with Coun Jan Whitbourn

Coun Sheard said: “Andrew has been fantastic as a chairman.

“He has brought fabulous events that brought in funds for Blood Cancer UK and Spalding Mencap.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better chairman.

Louise Ellis and Coun Ingrid Sheard
Louise Ellis and Coun Ingrid Sheard

“For him to thank people is rare and really appreciated by everyone.”

Coun Le Sage said: “I have never seen a chairman who has done so much and brought people together.”

Coun Woolf will step down this month and wife Wendy has a list of domestic jobs for him to complete.

Councillors Andrew Woolf and James Le Sage
Councillors Andrew Woolf and James Le Sage

Coun Chauhan added: “He is a fantastic guy.

“He is very empowering and competent in his job

He continues to represent the Moulton, Weston and Cowbit ward on South Holland District Council.

Guests at the event sang the praises of Coun Andrew Woolf who has raised £21,000 for Spalding Mencap and Blood Cancer UK
Guests at the event sang the praises of Coun Andrew Woolf who has raised £21,000 for Spalding Mencap and Blood Cancer UK
Coun Andrew Woolf, Jenny Beake, musical comedy performer at the chairman's open mic night at Spalding's South Holland Centre and Coun James Le Sage
Coun Andrew Woolf, Jenny Beake, musical comedy performer at the chairman's open mic night at Spalding's South Holland Centre and Coun James Le Sage
Ayscoughfee Hall in Spalding
Ayscoughfee Hall in Spalding
Alison White, South Holland District Council Communities Team
Alison White, South Holland District Council Communities Team
The event was an opportunity to thank supporters
The event was an opportunity to thank supporters
Guests enjoyed canapés and drinks at the thankyou event
Guests enjoyed canapés and drinks at the thankyou event
Guests enjoyed canapés and drinks at the thankyou event
Guests enjoyed canapés and drinks at the thankyou event

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