by Sam Hawcroft
Withernsea mayor Alex Camplin put her own colourful stamp on a community fundraising evening that mixed pink outfits, party games and a serious cause.
Guests were invited to wear “a hint of pink” for the civic event at the Meridian Centre on Saturday, March 21, which brought together dignitaries, community groups and residents from across the area.
Among those attending were the Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Cheryl Payne, East Riding Council chairman Liam Dealtry, Hedon mayor Cllr Phil Hinch, church representatives, the Withernsea Pirates, Withernsea Ladies’ Choir, the Shores Centre and other local organisations.
The pink theme was a nod to Cllr Camplin’s trademark bright pink hair – earning her the nickname “the mayor with the pink hair” – and guests embraced it to varying degrees.
Among the most eye-catching outfits of the evening was Cllr Dealtry’s light pink three-piece suit.
The night featured a series of light-hearted fundraising games, including a variation on bingo in which the last person left standing was the winner, along with a name-that-tune round featuring pink-themed songs. A buffet was provided by the Shores Centre.
Speaking during the evening, Cllr Camplin said she had struggled to choose a single charity to support during her mayoral year because of the many good causes she worked with through her day job.
However, she said the tragedy on Withernsea’s seafront at the start of this year had given her efforts a clear focus.
She had initially promised Mark Ratcliffe’s widow that a bench would be created in his memory after he died trying to rescue Grace and Sarah Keeling – but said that the project had since been taken forward separately by the emergency services with community support.
The evening’s fundraising was instead focused on a separate memorial tribute to all three victims, others lost at sea over the years and the emergency services who risked their lives in the rescue operation.
Cllr Camplin said: “I made a promise to Mark Ratcliffe’s wife that I would make sure a bench happened for her, because that’s what she wanted.
“And in true Withernsea style, the community stepped in before I even had a chance. The emergency services have made that happen, and I am incredibly grateful for that.
“So tonight, we’re doing something bigger. The Gazette had it in the paper last week, so if anyone’s seen that, we’re fundraising for a tribute for Mark and to everybody who’s been lost to the sea over the years, and for a way to honour the brave emergency services who risked their lives that night.
“Whatever form this takes, it will be something worthy of them.”
She also thanked those who helped organise the event.
Cllr Camplin said: “I want to say a genuine thank you to everyone who helped bring this night together. The staff, the councillors, and the volunteers who always seem to find themselves roped into my ideas, whether they meant to be or not.”
The evening raised £467 through the raffle and community donations, with Cllr Camplin rounding the total up to £500.
The money will go towards the planned memorial piece at St Nicholas Church, subject to final arrangements.
Deputy mayor Kristina Richardson, who will take over the mayoral chains in May, said: “I think the evening was a huge success, and showcased Alex’s style perfectly.
“It brought everyone together to celebrate her term as mayor, and as promised delivered lots of pink, and the right amount of fun and chaos.
“It is, and has been, an honour to support Alex as Withernsea town mayor, serving as her deputy for the duration of her term.”
A spokeswoman for Withernsea Ladies’ Choir said: “What a great night we had last night with a hint of pink.
“We felt very honoured to be invited to mayor Alex Camplin’s charity community evening, which was raising funds for a memorial tribute and the emergency services involved with the tragic incident that touched so many lives.
“Several of the choir won raffle prizes including our very own Paul Pike who won the main prize. Thank you, Alex, for such a wonderful event.”