THE PHILANTHROPIC Mayor of Marlow used Saturday's Town Regatta reception to announce the charities she will support over the next twelve months as she begins her second term in office.

Mayor Brown has nominated the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust (TVCAA) and Marlow Opportunity Playgroup as the two causes to benefit from her mayoral fundraising.

And this year’s nomination includes a personal commitment to the air ambulance after popular Marlow postwoman Susan Theobald was rescued after a traffic collision in February.

She said: "Thames Valley Air Ambulance are always on hand to support us in Marlow, especially with the Regatta and other events if things go wrong.

"Also, they helped my post lady when she was in an accident on Little Marlow Road so it's a personal thing for me."

"I chose Marlow Opportunity Playgroup because they provide the only child care of its kind in the whole of the south East of England. They need £35,000 a year to keep it running and if they want to look after more children, they need more money than that. It’s very important, I think."

Marlow Opportunity Playgroup, now based in Wooburn Green, provides specialist care for 22 children, some of them severely disabled.

And TVCAA, which provides emergency cover to three counties, relies on donations to keep its helicopter in the air 365 days a year.

Last year, the mayor chose to support Marlow Age Concern and Marlow Rowing Club, with the causes sharing the £20,000 fundraising kitty. 

With this year's charities chosen, Mayor Brown’s first fundraising event the 'BBO Big Band Summer Bash' is scheduled for the July 5 at 7:30pm.

Funds raised with be donated to All Saints Church and the mayoral charities.

The BBO Big Band is a Marlow-based big band swing music ensemble, which has raised over £330,000 for various causes since forming in 1986.

For more information about the band or the event visit www.bbobigband.co.uk or phone 01494 534880.