Cllr Anna Rothery, who was sworn in as Liverpool’s first-ever black Lord Mayor in September, has written to 200 local businesses asking each to donate £1,000

Liverpool Lord Mayor Anna Rothery is looking to raise at least £200,000 from the city’s businesses to support her four chosen charities.

Cllr Rothery, who was sworn in as Liverpool’s first-ever black Lord Mayor in September, has written to 200 local businesses asking each to donate £1,000. She will officially launch her 201 Club fundraising drive at the Town Hall on Tuesday. Her four charities are:

• The Anthony Walker Foundation – a local charity established in the aftermath of the racist killing of 18-year-old Anthony in 2005. AWF promotes racial harmony through education, arts and sports, values diversity and personal integrity, and the realisation of the potential of all young people.
• Amadudu Women’s Refuge – set up in 1991 to  provide temporary accommodation and a range of services to meet the holistic needs of women and children fleeing domestic violence.
• LCR Pride Foundation – which aims to position the Liverpool city region as the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK. They do this by highlighting the daily barriers that LGBT+ people living in and visiting the region face, and by creating an inclusive culture where people feel they can fully participate and contribute.
• Merseyside Somali Association – established over 40 years ago by Somali seamen to address their needs in areas of employment, social, housing and health needs. Over the years the organisation has grown to become one the largest Somali community in the North West.

Cllr Rothery said: “I am hoping to raise a lot of money for my charities this year and raise the profile of the excellent work they do. I can only do that with the generosity of other individuals and organisations who are willing to support them.

“I am aiming to get 200 businesses to each donate money, and am also looking for one to go over and above by contributing something extra – it could be a prize, or their time or something else – hence why I have called it the 201 Club.”

People wanting to raise money for The Lord Mayor’s Charities can contact Liverpool Town Hall on 0151 233 4651, email town.hall@liverpool.gov.uk, donate at by clicking here or text a donation to “LMAY18 £X” TO 70070 (X is £1, £5, £10).