TWO worthy causes received a welcome gift from a city's mayor as he prepared to leave office.

In one of their last official functions, the outgoing mayor and mayoress of Sunderland, Councillor Tom Foster and his wife, Brenda, made cash awards to the city's Grace House Children's Hospice Appeal and the Samaritans.

Representatives from both were invited to the Mayor's Parlour, at Sunderland Civic Centre, to each receive cheques for £9,184 from fundraising events during the Fosters' term of office.

Coun Foster said: "I'd like to thank everyone who supported our mayoral charities this year, both those who donated money and those who organised all the events.

"Everybody was willing to go that extra yard to help, and I greatly appreciate it.

"What makes this presentation so special is the fact I've recently met some of the families involved with both the charities, who've all told me what the money will mean to those helping and supporting their loved ones."

Jane Dennison, fundraising manager for the Grace House North-East Children's Hospice Appeal, said: "We're delighted with this donation and very grateful to the mayor and the people of Sunderland.

"It will make such a huge difference, and is another big step in achieving our building plans, which are on target to begin next year."

Ellen Rowley, marketing officer for the Samaritans, said: "We've already decided where the money will go, and that's towards both recruiting more young people to join as volunteers, and encouraging more of that age group to contact us, should they ever need our confidential services."

Coun Foster stepped down from office on Wednesday and was succeeded by Councillor Les Scott, at Sunderland City Council's annual meeting.