THE last task of the outgoing mayor of Redcar and Cleveland was to hand over cheques to the four charities he supported throughout his year in office.

Councillor Mike Findley successfully raised £12,000 despite the economic gloom in the country.

The Longbeck councillor, who is battling Motor Neurone Disease (MND), named the Willie Maddren MND Fund and the Jessica Jewel Trust, a charity set up in memory of seven-year-old Jessica Harrison who died from cancer in November 2007, as the organisations which would benefit from his mayoral year.

He also contributed to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the North-East Air Ambulance.

He said: "Over the year I have met many people, young and old, have proved to be an inspiration all those around them. It has been a great honour to represent the council at countless functions and it has been fantastic to raise £12,00 for charity - despite the financial gloom."

Coun Findley handed over the cheques when his year as mayor came to an end.

Hilary Maddren, the widow of former Boro player and manager Willie, said: "I'm full of admiration for Mike, being mayor is really hard work at the best of times but being mayor while suffering from motor neurone disease is incredible.

"The money that Mike has raised will be used to pay for research into the condition which is obviously something close to his heart."