THE newly-appointed chairman of Richmondshire District Council has announced the charities that she will support over the coming year.

Coun Helen Grant has served Colburn ward for some 20 years, and was previously chairman during the 1999 - 2000 Millennium year.

The daughter of a military family, she went to St Francis Xavier School and has worked for the Ministry of Defence for more than 25 years.

Traditionally the chairman chooses charities to fund raise for throughout the term, and this year Coun Grant will support Macmillan Cancer Support and the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.

She said: "These two charities were chosen because Macmillan Cancer Support is there when patients and their families are at their most vulnerable providing support and information specific to the condition.

"I chose the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths because as a mother and a grandmother I cannot imagine a worse way of losing a child."

She added: "I have a number of fund-raising events in mind, the details of which will be published once they are finalised."