THE Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas have announced their support for Craig's Heartstrong Foundation and Kemmyrk.

Ritchie and Julie McNicholl pledged to help raise funds for the two charities at a launch event at the town hall earlier this evening.

Kemmyrk, which is Manx for shelter or refuge, is a charity which helps homeless people, while Craig's Heartstrong Foundation was set up following the death of popular footballer Craig Lunt who died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 25.

The charity raises money to enable the heart screening of men and women between the ages of 14 and 35 in the Isle of Man. The next screening is on July 17 and 18 at the Hilton Hotel, Douglas. For more details see www.craigsheartstrongfoundation.co.uk

The Mayor and Mayoress have a number of events planned to help raise funds for the two charities during their term of office. These include a trip on the MV Karina on August 7, the Mayor's Variety Show on March 26 at the Villa Marina, Douglas and a Mayoral Ball on April 30.

The Mayoress has personal reasons for supporting both the charities. Mrs McNicholl, who works in housing, said Kemmyrk doesn't just help people who are homeless but also those who are in unfit and unsecure accommodation.

In terms of Craig's Heartstrong Foundation she said she has a 24 year old son who has been screened.

In the past thousands of pounds have been raised for local charities due to the support of previous mayor and mayoresses.

Paula Lunt and Paul Healey from Craig's Heartstrong Foundation, Mayor Ritchie McNicholl, Mayoress Julie McNicholl and Fiona Robinson from Kemmyrk (photo: John Gregory)