South Holland District Chairman looks back on his time representing the district – as he prepares to step down from the role
A chairman who wanted to prove that ‘not all councillors are bad’ has looked back on his time representing the district as he prepares to step down in the spring.
After two years in the role, South Holland District Council chairman Andrew Woolf will be handing over the chair of office to someone else in May.
During his chairmanship, the councillor of more than 22 years prided himself on having raised £13,768 for Blood Cancer UK and Mencap — and believes he has done his best to put the district in a ‘good light’.
He said: “When I was elected, I chose the charities with my heart – my wife's mother died of leukaemia in 1993 and my father had a different form of blood cancer.
“You don't understand how it affects people until they come up and talk to you. Most recently, one gentleman told me he has had controllable blood cancer for eight years and that he was grateful I chose to raise money for Blood Cancer UK.
“I never ask for gratitude, but when people take the time to come up to you and thank you for what you're doing, it can easily choke you up. It just makes me want to raise more.”
To highlight his farewell as chairman, Andrew hopes to go out on a high and raise more money for his charities. He will be running a half marathon with Coun Ingrid Sheard and a close friend in April for Blood Cancer UK.
The fundraising page has already raised £220, with a target of £3,000. Click here to donate.
Alongside his charity work, Andrew felt passionate to improve the public’s view of the council, and is hoping some of his work will be taken under the wing of the next chairman, he added: “During my time as chairman I set up the chairman’s Santa fun run which I hope will continue. It’s great fun and an opportunity to bring the community together.
“Although being a chairman is quite demanding, I like to think I have done my best to put South Holland in a good light and promote the area.
“People have different opinions on the council and when you're a councillor you've got to have pretty tough skin, because it's often more negative than positive – which I do get.
“When I was elected I wanted to try and get that community engagement to show we’re not all bad people as councillors and we do try our hardest to get things right. I’d like to think every councillor tries their very best to make that relationship closer.
“I also couldn't have done anything without the support from my lovely wife, Wendy, who is always by my side and is always there to support me.”
Coun Woolf continues to represent the Moulton, Weston and Cowbit ward on South Holland District Council.
Rachel Mann-Bradbury, from Blood Cancer UK, said: “Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK with over 41,000 people diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancers annually.
“During his two-year tenure as Chairman, Andrew has tirelessly fundraised and raised awareness for Blood Cancer UK. We are immensely thankful to Andrew and the people of Spalding for their support, which has raised £6,800 to date, helping to fund research into vital new treatments."
Nigel Taylor, of Mencap, said: “The money Mencap has received from the chairman’s charity over the last two years has made a real difference to the lives of the people who have a Learning disability in Spalding.
“The funds raised have allowed us to take them out on day trips in the summer to Mablethorpe, Skegness and Hunstanton. We attended the Christmas pantomime at the South Holland Centre and have Christmas parties each year at the Spalding Services and Social Club.
“Andrew playing Santa and engaging with everyone at the parties shows genuine care and dedication to the community. The funding we have received will allow us to continue to support the people in Spalding over the next few years.”
