Outgoing Ashby Mayor, Cllr Liz Parle, presented a cheque for £1,500 to the charity Enrych as part of her fundraising over the past 12 months.

Cllr Parle's year as Mayor ended last month and now Cllr Damilola Ojuri is wearing the chain.

But this week, she met with representatives of Enrych to hand over the impressive sum.

Enrych, is a Leicestershire-based charity founded in 1986 by Leonard Cheshire and Sue Ryder.

For nearly four decades, it has been empowering individuals with poor mental health, disabilities and neurodiverse conditions to live life to the fullest.

Cllr Parle said: "I first came across Enrych before lockdown and re-connected later when I visited the Feelgood Cafe at the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville.

"I also went to one or two boccia sessions - seated bowls - which had been operating at the Ashby Leisure Centre.

"People came to meet up with friends and gain confidence. It was reassuring for them and a lot of fun.

"Because I was a teacher at Ashby School, I'd seen kids struggle with mental health - but there they were at the boccia session, 15-20 years on.

"There's a lot of awareness about school pupils' mental health, but people forget they grow up and need support as adults."

Christine Killip, an Enrych trustee, added: "That's crucial, I was a head teacher and taught children from 3-11, knowing they would go into secondary education, where they'd be supported - then they get to 18, and it was like a cliff edge. It needs to continue.

"People need to know there are services available from Enrych, and we can support some of these young adults."

Rob Ball, Enrych Chief Executive, said: "There is a focus on North West Leicestershire, but we cover the whole county.

"Among our services, we have a personal assistant scheme that can offer care to people struggling with their mental health, it's support with day-to-day living.

"There's a lot we do in Ashby and Coalville."

He was delighted with the money raised by Cllr Parle and ensured it would be put to good use.

Rob added: "It will help us expand our services and give a never-ending need to grow awareness so that people know where we are and what we do.

"Every penny means that we can grow our activities, because we really want to do more in North West Leicestershire."

Cllr Parle added: "I'd like to thank St Helen's Church for its Hymns and Pimms session which raised a lot of money.

"People were also very generous at Holy Trinity's Civic Service and the town's traders helped a lot with raffle prizes at the Civic Dinner."

Christine added: "Liz's 1st Ashby Girl Guides' group also made gift bags for Christmas, which were given out to Enrych clients, particularly those who were isolated at Christmas.

"That was a generous gesture and one that was much appreciated."