FIVE charities will be given a boost thanks to a record-breaking year of fundraising from Cherwell District Council chairman Maurice Billington.

In his role as council chairman Mr Billington has hosted a number of events to raise an impressive £19,000 - the highest fundraising amount ever raised by a council chairman in Cherwell.

Mr Billington was council chairman from May 2017 to May 2018.

Causes that will benefit from the councillor's fundraising feat include Girl Guiding Kidlington, The Salvation Army, Kidlington District Information Centre, Daybreak Oxford and Cherwell Counselling

Mr Billington said: "From the counselling services that helped me overcome depression to Daybreak Oxford which cared for my father as he battled dementia – each of these charities has played a special part in my life and I am delighted to be in the position to repay that kindness.

“It has been an honour to serve as the chairman for the past 12 months and I am proud to have been able to use this role to raise so much money for so many fantastic causes whilst also helping to raise their profile.

"These organisations and the people who donate their time to them are the unsung heroes of our society and it is a privilege to give them the recognition they deserve but never seek"

Some of the fundraising events which helped get Mr Billington to his £19,000 were dinners and raffles raising an impressive £15,600 plus match funding helping to boost it further.

Cheques were handed over to the charities at a council meeting on Tuesday, May 15, at which Mr Billington was also voted to stay on as chairman following the sudden death of vice-chairwoman Jolanta Lis in April.

The council also paid tribute with a minutes silence at the meeting to Ms Lis who was due to take over from Mr Billington as Cherwell District Council chairwoman.

As a result, Mr Billington was elected to stand for a further 12 months as chairman and David Hughes was elected as vice chairman of the council.

Mr Billington pledged to make Ms Lis proud during his second year and went on to name Kidlington Youth Football, Garden City Football Club, Evans Lane FC and the St John’s Hall Children’s Centre in Kidlington as his charities for the next 12 months.