Friday 9 May, 2008

Raising awareness of bowel cancer and helping local families in financial difficulty - these are two of the good causes supported by the new Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Jennifer Jordan, who has officially taken up her role following formal election on Wednesday (7 May).

Cllr Jordan says: "I am looking forward to a busy mayoral year supporting many local organisations and raising awareness for the Mayor's Distress Fund and my chosen charity, G.U.T.S."

Guildford's Mayor has a long-established charity - the Mayor of Guildford's Distress Fund. This gives grants to Guildford individuals and families who are experiencing financial difficulties. Most grants are in response to cases referred by agencies such as Citizen's Advice Bureau, Community Health or Social Services.

Cllr Jordan's chosen charity, Guildford Undetected Tumour Screening (G.U.T.S) is based at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. The charity aims to improve the survival of people with bowel cancer in the South East by early detection and raising awareness of the disease. The Mayor will be supporting G.U.T.S throughout the year with a number of fundraising events, including 'Breakfast with the Mayor' on 24 January, 2009.

Cllr Jordan was originally elected as ward councillor for Merrow and Burpham in 1987 (serving until 1995) and then re-elected for Merrow ward in 2003. During her time as councillor, Cllr Jordan has held various positions and is currently a serving member of the Community and Health Scrutiny Committee and the Licensing Committee.

Cllr Jordan has always played an active role in the local community, teaching Geography at George Abbot School for 33 years and leading 1st Stoughton Guides for 47 years.

Cllr Pauline Searle is Deputy Mayor of Guildford for 2008/09.

Information regarding mayoral engagements and forthcoming events can be found in on the Mayor’s pages of this website.

For more information on the Mayor of Guildford's Distress Fund, call Annette Stone on 01483 444108 or email Annette.Stone@guildford.gov.uk