THE East Riding Council chairman has signed off with a near £19,000 donation to his two chosen charities.
Bridlington South ward councillor Chad Chadwick stepped down yesterday as the authority's civic figurehead at the council's annual general meeting.
He has been succeeded by Councillor Claude Mole, who represents the Pocklington Provincial ward.
Speaking about his year in office, Cllr Chadwick said it had exceeded his own expectations.
"I have lived here in the East Riding all my life and over the past 12 months I have visited every corner of it – I've even been to Goole 12 times, so I think I've done my share!
"It has been the opportunity of a lifetime."
Usually accompanied by his wife and fellow councillor Margaret, he said his own personal highlights had been welcoming the Olympic Torch and Paralympic Lantern to the region, celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee last summer and visiting numerous schools and youth projects across the East Riding.
"What has struck me most is the sheer number of volunteers doing fantastic work all over the place," he said.
"Then, the icing on the cake came last weekend when I attended the Hull City game against Cardiff. That's certainly something I won't forget in a hurry."
Cllr Chadwick also revealed his most emotional moment of the year was when he attended the funeral service for Private Gregg Stone, of Atwick, who was killed in Afghanistan.
"It was a very moving experience, which really brought things back to reality," he said.
Cllr Chadwick's announcement that his fundraising efforts during the year had resulted in a total of almost £19,000 was greeted with loud applause.
The money will be split between his two chosen charities, the Teenage Cancer Trust based at Cottingham's Castle Hill Hospital and the Bridlington branch of the RSPCA.
He said the total was an "absolutely fantastic" achievement.
Moving a vote of thanks, council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby joked that he could not recall another council chairman organising as many raffles and fundraising events during a single year.
"Chad has been a great ambassador for the East Riding," he said. "Every chairman brings his or her own style to the job and with Chad it was his friendliness and his interest in whatever he was doing.
"He was also always looking for your money wherever he went!"
Cllr Mole said he was "proud and honoured" to be elected as chairman of the council.
He said: "This is one the best, if not the best, performing unitary authority in the country and that is entirely due to the drive, ability and commitment of its members, officers and staff, all of which will make my role as chairman that much easier."
Cllr Mole announced his chosen charity of the year as the Dove House Hospice Love You 2 Appeal.
The council's new vice-chairman is Councillor Pat O'Neill, who represents Goole South.
She said: "I feel this is a recognition that Goole is in the East Riding. I am looking forward to attending events across the East Riding."
The chairman's role at the council is entirely ceremonial and is also non-political.
As well as representing the authority, the post-holder also chairs monthly full council meetings at County Hall.
