Trafford’s new mayor says he is looking forward to bringing people together – and raising plenty of cash for charity.
Councillor Rob Chilton, who represents St Mary’s ward, took up the chain of office in a ceremony at the town hall on Wednesday.
Coun Chilton, who has served as a Conservative councillor for almost a decade, has taken over the role from Labour’s Tom Ross.
The charities he has chosen to support over the next 12 months are the Alex Hulme Foundation, Friends of Manchester Hospitals and The Society of Abandoned Animals.
“Dave and Nicola Hulme tragically lost their son Alex to Hodgkin lymphoma in 2011,” explained Coun Chilton.
“Since then, they have done amazing work in establishing the foundation set up in Alex’s name to raise awareness of this form of cancer – and to work on a cure.
“They’re fabulous people and I look forward to being able to work with them.”
Coun Chilton added: “Overall, however, it is my intention to do whatever I can during my year of office to bring people together.
“Sadly, we live in an increasingly fractious and toxic political landscape, where differences of opinion are now used as an excuse for hatred and vilification.
“It is, therefore, my intention to theme my mayoral year on community cohesion and I’m hoping to visit and build connections between as many of our fantastic local communities as possible.”
Council boss Andrew Western wished his friend and colleague ‘every success’ in his role as the borough’s new mayor.
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