THE new mayor of Bracknell Forest will raise money for a cancer charity while battling the illness himself.

Cllr Alan Kendall, who has been a borough councillor for Winkfield and Cranbourne ward since 2000, has chosen Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund as his charity for the year – a cause with which he has a particular affiliation having been diagnosed with the illness earlier this year.

He said: “Last year the mayor had about 300 engagements so I will have to be careful about not trying to do too much but we have a deputy mayor who is only too happy to help.” Cllr Andy Blatchford, who represents College Town on Bracknell Forest Council, has been elected as deputy mayor for the coming year.

Cllr Kendall, a former executive member for education on the council, added he is also looking forward to working with young people and voluntary groups and said the borough is lucky to have people doing so much good work.

“I’m interested in meeting as many people as I can.

“I’ve always been very interested in young people and I will be encouraging schools to come into the council chamber to see how it all works and what we get up to.” Cllr Kendall said he is looking forward to attending ceremonies commemorating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War.

Outgoing borough mayor Cllr Jan Angell presented a cheque to Thames Hospice for more than £17,000 at Wednesday’s full council meeting, which was raised through ticket sales and donations at a variety of events throughout her year of office.