Zoё's Place Baby Hospice chosen as charity of the year for new Nuneaton and Bedworth Mayor

Councillor Martin Walsh succeeds Cllr Jeff Clarke JP as Mayor.

The Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth for 2023/24 has received the chains of office at a Mayor Making ceremony at Nuneaton Town Hall.

Councillor Martin Walsh succeeds Cllr Jeff Clarke JP as Mayor and will be supported by Sandra, his wife of 42 years as Mayoress.

He has represented the Slough Ward for the Conservative Party since 2021.

Cllr Walsh, a retired mechanical engineer, was born in Hertfordshire and moved to the Borough in the 1980s, to be with his wife who was born in Bedworth.

His Civic Appeal for the next 12 months is Zoё's Place Baby Hospice Coventry, which provides a short break service, palliative and end-of-life care to babies and infants aged from birth to six years, living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Cllr Martin Walsh said: “It is a great honour to be the first Bedworth Conservative Mayor for the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth.

“My wife and I chose Zoё's Place to be the charity for our Civic Appeal because of all of the fantastic work they do for both children they care for and their families.

"Also, the Hospice is situated in Ash Green, which is in our Borough.’’   

There is no cost to families for Zoё's Place support and there are three hospices in the country.

Ian Carr, Head of Fundraising for Zoё's Place Baby Hospice Coventry, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be chosen by the incoming Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, Cllr Martin Walsh, as the beneficiaries of the Civic Appeal for the upcoming year.

“We need to raise £1.4 million a year to provide much-needed respite and end of life care to babies and infants with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions between the age of zero and five.

“We are incredibly grateful for this generous gesture, looking forward to working alongside Councillor Walsh in helping raise as many funds as possible and will hugely appreciate every penny raised.”

Cllr Brian Hammersley, who represents Bede Ward for the Conservative Party, is the new Deputy Mayor and his wife Carole the Deputy Mayoress.