Three charities have each received £11,500 in funding at an official presentation ceremony at St Mary’s Stadium.

Cllr Valerie Laurent served as Lord Mayor of Southampton from 2023 to 2024 before Cllr Dave Shields became Lord Mayor of Southampton.

During her tenure, Cllr Laurent’s chosen charities were the Saints Foundation, Southampton Sea Cadets, and Southampton City Farm, with mayoral events, galas, and fundraisers raising money for the three charities across the year.

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Representatives from each charity were awarded a special cheque of £11,500 at the home of Southampton Football Club on Friday, as Cllr Laurent said: “My year was very special to me.

“I set out to raise funds for three very deserving causes that have a bearing on so many in Southampton.”

She added: “These funds will help to improve facilities and services that will benefit the communities in Southampton.”