Ascot Charity Afternoon Proves a Winner

CLLR Tafheen Sharif, the Civic Mayor of Tameside, certainly backed a winner when she hosted an Ascot-themed charity afternoon to mark International Women’s Day.

The event proved popular, raising £585 for her appeal fund, and gave the people of Tameside a chance to dress in their royal enclosure finery, complete with hats of course. The largely but not exclusively female gathering had a great deal of fun enjoying tasty treats supplied by Umeed (Hope) women’s group.

They also heard talks from Sharman Birtles, vice-lord lieutenant of Greater Manchester; Cllr Jacqueline North, Tameside Council’s first deputy (finance, resources and transformation); Cllr Eleanor Wills, the council’s executive member for population health and wellbeing; and Kay Baig, who set up the first south Asian women's cricket team in Lancashire.

Cllr Sharif said: “Like myself, most women in the room had never been to Ascot, so I brought Ascot to Tameside. Judging by the comments I received, everyone loved it. Lots of people told me it was a nice thing to do and thanked me.

“It really was a spectacular afternoon and one which didn't cost a penny thanks to generous donations.

“As befits International Women’s Day, we had some really inspirational women speakers and an audience made up of women from all walks of life and various communities. 

“I would like to thank everyone who attended, all the speakers and Umeed women’s group. We raised a fantastic amount for my three chosen charities, for which I’m truly grateful.”

The Civic Mayor’s charity appeal fund comprises Home-Start (HOST), which offers expert support to families with young children that are going through difficult times; West African Development, which helps ethnic minority communities in Tameside, and Pauline Town’s We Shall Overcome, which provides assistance for the homeless.