THE Freemen of Durham have given a £500 boost to city Mayor John Lightley's charity appeal.
The Freemen, the descendants of craftsmen in the city who formed guilds in medieval times, share income from the rental on land they own and investments.
Councillor Lightley, Liberal Democrat member for Shincliffe, has chosen the Gala Theatre Stage School and the Treetops children's ward, at the University Hospital of North Durham, to benefit from his appeal.
Chairman of the Freemen John Heslop said much of the income received came from land rented to the city council for its permanent car parks, because the Freemen have "herbage'' rights over the land.
"The position of mayor is so closely related to the pageantry and heritage that we are a part of, that his appeal is such an obvious charity for us to support,'' said Mr Heslop.
He added that the Freemen liked to support causes that improved life in the city.
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