The outgoing Mayor of Kenilworth has presented cheques of £2,000 to two local charities from the mayor's charity fund.

Cllr Peter Jones, whose mayoral year ended in May, made the donations to Compassionate Kenilworth and the Youth Wellbeing Hub at the Kenilworth Centre yesterday.

The two causes were his named mayoral charities for the year, and the money has been raised by donations and fundraising over the past twelve months.

Compassionate Kenilworth was also sponsored by Cllr Jones' predecessor, Cllr Richard Dickson, and will again be supported by the new mayor Cllr Sam Louden-Cooke.

The charity, which started life as Covid-19 Support Kenilworth during the pandemic, is now dedicated to supporting isolated and vulnerable elderly residents across the town.

Cllr Jones presents another £2,000 cheque, this time to £2000 each to Steve James, treasurer of Compassionate Kenilworth

The Youth Wellbeing Hub was launched by the Kenilworth Centre last year aiming to help local young people with their mental health.

"I chose these charities because they are based in the town - charity begins at home - and because the Covid-19 Support Group, now Compassionate Kenilworth, have done a tremendous amount to help those people made isolated by the Covid virus to cope with their difficulties, supplying them with meals, medicines and company, for example," Cllr Jones said.

"At the other end of the age range, teenagers always need support and Covid has made their lives more difficult and more limited in opportunities so a charity which tries to improve the mental health of youngsters most affected will always get my vote."