Chairman of Durham County Council, visits Willow Burn as part of his yearlong campaign to support the hospice.

Cllr Watts Stelling, Chairman of Durham County Council, visited Willow Burn today as part of his yearlong campaign to support the hospice.

Cllr Stelling joined Chairman of Willow Burn, Paul Jackson and Director of Willow Burn, David Barker MBE, for a tour of the hospice to meet the team and for lunch in the Willows Café. Watts also spent some time catching up with members of the team who he remembered from visits to Willow Burn many years ago.

Back in June 2021, Cllr Stelling chose Willow Burn as the official charity of Durham County Council and since then employees and friends of the council have been raising money for the hospice in support of the Chairman.

At the time of the announcement, Cllr Stelling said: "I'm delighted to be able to support Willow Burn Hospice in my role as Chairman of the council. The staff and volunteers there do such an amazing job, providing care, comfort and compassion at the end of life, supporting not only patients but also their families and friends at a time when they need it most.

"It is an honour to represent the council and I'm looking forward to spending the next 12 months promoting our fantastic county, meeting with residents and raising money for my chosen charity." 

Paul Jackson, Chair of the Board at Willow Burn Hospice, said: "On behalf of the patients, trustees, staff and volunteers, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Cllr Watts Stelling for choosing Willow Burn Hospice as his Charity of the Year. We would also like to thank the generous staff and members of Durham County Council who have chosen to contribute to the fundraising via payroll giving.