Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Raises £15,000 for Local Charities: what residents need to know

Amira Hughes Author 2026-06-08 20:32 2 min read

Former Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Councillor Steve Watkins has concluded his 12-month term by securing a total of £15,884.49 for three community-focused organisations. The funds were raised through a series of local events and a collaborative community project.

Fundraising through community events

Throughout his year in office, Councillor Watkins and his wife, former Lady Mayoress Councillor Lynn Watkins, hosted several initiatives to drive donations. Among the most successful was a 1920s-themed afternoon tea and the publication of a children’s book authored by Councillor Lynn Watkins. The book, which provides a unique perspective on the Lord Mayor’s year in office, proved popular with families across the city.

Beneficiaries of the mayoral fund

The total sum of £15,884.49 has been distributed equally among three organisations, each selected for their vital contributions to the city:

Help for Heroes: The donation will support veterans with essential services, including psychological wellbeing support and financial relief for utility costs.
Saltbox: The funds will assist the Carelink service, which provides a telephone befriending service and ‘Chatty Cafes’ to combat loneliness among older residents.
National Literacy Trust Stoke-on-Trent: The charity plans to use the contribution to host ‘Tales in the Park’ family storytelling festivals during the upcoming school holidays.

Reflecting on the year, Councillor Steve Watkins expressed his gratitude to the city, stating: “It’s been a real honour to serve as Lord Mayor and to support three such important charities. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who attended events, bought the book or made a donation.”

Source: Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified civic report

This report is based on official records from the Stoke-on-Trent City Council regarding the Lord Mayor's annual fundraising totals.

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