JUST hours after being elected county councillor for Haslemere last Friday, John Robini brought his two-year stint as town mayor to a close with a £15,500 give-away to Haslemere Stroke Club, Haslewey, and Haslemere Educational Museum.

Speaking at the town’s civic reception, held via Zoom, Cllr Robini reflected on an extraordinary stint as town mayor and paid tribute to the town’s charity, volunteer and business community.

Cllr Robini has been house-bound for much of the pandemic. But this didn’t stop him manning the Haslemere Help phone line, adding to the efforts of some 300 volunteers helping those hardest hit by the pandemic.

He added he had written to countless numbers of individuals to praise their efforts, including two “wonderful” young people who cleared a stream of litter “off their own backs”.

And also thanked the Ha’Penny Trust, church community, CAB, police, Waverley Borough Council and other members of the town council-led stakeholders group for their support of those “who have lost businesses and can no longer pay their mortgages”.

He gave a special mention to all those retailers who have adapted their businesses to bring meals, greengrocery and other vital supplies to people’s doorsteps, saying: “All need a public thank you for coming forward at this time to help those in the community.”

But he noted “charities have suffered more than most during this pandemic”, and expressed his delight at being able to raise £15,500 for his three chosen charities.

He said: “I am exceptionally excited at managing to raise this money for three charities which desperately need it – but it wasn’t me, it comes from a lot of different sources, and a lot of thanks goes to them all.”

Responding, Sarah Fairbairn said Haslemere Stroke Club’s £5,150 share would go towards new physio equipment at Holy Cross Hospital, and added: “That’s absolutely tremendous – I can’t believe you raised so much!”

Kerry Morren-Jeffs, of Haslewey, agreed it was an “awful lot more” than she expected and thanked the mayor and mayoress for supporting Haslewey “over many years”.

And Chris Boobyer, of the museum trustees, also thanked the mayor, adding the money would be spent on “making the museum more visible”.

Haslemere’s new mayor will be elected tonight (Thursday).