"LOTSA' lolly" has been promised to two York charities as the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, revealed the recipients of this year's Lord Mayor's Charities Appeal.

York Mencap and the Children's Society received a blank cheque marked "Lotsa' lolly!", from the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff, Coun Barrie Ferguson, to represent the funds they will share at the end of the Lord Mayor's year in office.

The annual appeal was launched at Lowfield School, Acomb, where it was revealed that coming events will include a "hush hush teddy bear" event - but one with a twist which is staying a secret for now.

The Lord Mayor said: "I am absolutely delighted that my election as Lord Mayor has enabled me to help two causes very close to my heart - children and disabled people. I know both groups have worked very hard in the few months to put together a programme of events to capitalise on my choosing them, and I am sure we will have a lot of fun over the next few months trying to raise funds.

The Lord Mayor, a teacher and former chairwoman of the council's Disabled Persons' Advisory Group (DPAG), presented a blank cheque to York Mencap chair Ken Long and Alison Shersby, the Children's Society's area fundraising manager.

The Lord Mayor said: "The idea of the blank cheque is to underline the

potential for fundraising in the year ahead. It represents the challenge for the charities to ensure that as big a final figure as possible is written on that cheque next year!"

Picture - WATCH THIS SPACE: Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, and Sheriff Barrie Ferguson, with members of York Mencap and the Children's Society at Lowfield School with the blank cheque Picture: David Harrison