Charities benefit from £54,000 donated in late Wolverhampton mayor's memory
A £54,000 funding pot has been gifted to good causes across Wolverhampton in memory of a late city mayor.
Community groups and charities have been handed a slice of the cash collected on behalf of former Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu.
His widow Councillor Asha Mattu proudly handed over funds to the seven recipients at a special event held just seven months after her husband died.
She said: "It was emotional because it's something Elias would have been so proud to have done himself.
"Everyone, even the charity representatives, got emotional. But it was happy as well - that I was able to do this on behalf of my husband.
"I know how much he loved these charities, how much he loved this city. I'm quite proud I did this for him."
Cash was donated to the late mayor's chosen charities - Alzheimer's Society, Wolverhampton Street Pastors, Sickle Cell Care, Central Youth Theatre, Interfaith Wolverhampton, Acorns Children's Hospice and Wolverhampton's central branch of the Royal British Legion.
Father-of-three Councillor Mattu, who was the city's 159th mayor, died in February following a long battle with illness.
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The 59-year-old served the Graiseley ward for 18 years, which is now represented by his wife after winning the seat in May.
Councillor Mattu said she will continue to support the charities which were close to her husband's heart, adding: "In which ever way I can fundraise, I will continue to do that.
"It's been very busy as councillor but I'm enjoying it very much. I just know that if Elias was here, he would be proud."
Thousands of mourners paid their respects to the late mayor, with the city centre coming to a standstill for his funeral in March.
Born in Punjab, India, in 1958, Councillor Mattu was just nine years old when he moved with his family to Wolverhampton.
The former Graiseley School student, also studied at Wulfrun College, as well as Wednesbury College of Commerce and Technology.
He went on to study law at the University of Wolverhampton, while working as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Councillor Phil Page was officially sworn in as the new Mayor of Wolverhampton in May.
