A role that ‘suited’ him well. Councillor Cotton completes his Mayoral year
Sharp dressing, suits and many miles travelled around the borough have led to a year of record-breaking fundraising activity for outgoing Camden Mayor, Councillor Richard Cotton.
During his mayoral year, Councillor Cotton raised a magnificent total of £44,729.87, through tickets sales, auctions and fundraising events, the highest for a Camden Mayor, for his chosen charity the C4WS Homeless Project.
"I love this borough and it's been a huge honour to be Mayor, a role that has been exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure. Camden is a community with roots in every corner of the globe, ‘We are all faiths and none; We are many, we are one’, and I have tried to reflect that.
“It has been a pleasure to celebrate different cultures, support the voluntary work that makes Camden so special, to encourage the young and to learn from the old. It has also given me the chance to highlight the issue of homelessness and do something practical by fundraising for C4WS Homeless Project.”
Renowned for his vivid and colourful suits, Councillor Cotton has attended over 500 engagements, not only to raise money, but also to highlight the plight of the capital’s homeless by raising awareness of how others can assist by helping to support the charity’s jobs club, lunch clubs and with volunteering and mentoring opportunities.
Councillor Cotton continued “Growing up, I had the impression of Mayors being fat old men in grey suits, but if anybody wanted that, they chose the wrong fat old man! I have tried to bring a bit of light and colour at least in the way I dress.
“I have so many great memories of the year, but highlights would have to include hosting the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Sexual Offences Act, welcoming over 2,000 new citizens from more than 50 countries to our wonderful borough, and hosting an Evening with Alan Bennett at Friends House.”
Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells is the new Mayor of Camden for 2018 to 2019.
Councillor Headlam-Wells, who represents Kentish Town Ward. The new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Maryam Eslamdoust.