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

Councillor Helen Grant has served Colburn ward for some 20 years, and was previously chairman in 1999/2000.

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.

She lived in Colburn for more than 30 years before recently "downsizing" to Sleegill.

She still has a house in Colburn, and a daughter, son-in-law and grandson living there and visits daily to check on the ward she represents.

Traditionally, the council's chairman chooses charities to fundraise for throughout the term.

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.

"I have a number of fundraising events in mind, the details of which will be published once they are finalised."