DUDLEY'S Mayor welcomed back the former mayor to celebrate his efforts in raising nearly £37k for three borough charities during his year in office.

The current Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Dave Tyler, invited Councillor Mohammed Hanif back to the mayoral office together with representatives from his three charities to celebrate the achievements.

Representatives from Friends of Alfie Johnson, Diabetes UK Dudley group and Dudley CIL were presented with an equal share of the funds, amounting to more than £12,000 each, at a get together in the mayor’s parlour on Wednesday July 19.

Councillor Mohammed Hanif said: "It was an honour to serve as Mayor of Dudley, alongside my wife Zabeda and to be able to help raise funds for these charities which are so close to my heart.

“These organisations will be able to use this money to support people when they or a family member are going through difficult times and I feel humbled to have been able to play a small part in supporting their important work.

“My wife and I would like to say a massive thank you to all the individuals, groups and organisations that generously contributed throughout the year to help raise such a large amount of money.” 

Cllr Hanif took part in hundreds of civic engagements, fundraising events and other activities during his Mayoral year. 

Fundraisers included a charity ball, a climb up Ben Nevis, a charity winter walk and a Bollywood Extravaganza at Dudley Town Hall, plus a host of other events.

Councillor Dave Tyler, the new Mayor of Dudley, said: "Being Mayor of Dudley is a real honour and brings so many opportunities to meet people from across our wonderful borough. Most importantly, we are able to help raise the profile of charitable organisations and play a part in raising funds to help support their efforts."

 He congratulated Cllr Hanif and his  wife Zabeda on their successful year and added: "I hope people will be as generous this year to help me support my three charities.”

Cllr Tyler's chosen causes are Dudley Mind, the YMCA, and Dudley Alzheimer's Society.