THE Covid-19 pandemic has changed what mayors can do - but one Vale of Clwyd mayor hasn't been standing still!

Ruthin mayor Cllr Heather Williams has had an energetic start to 2022 in a charity challenge to support her chosen charities of the Vale of Clwyd Mind, Vale of Clwyd Food Bank and Cancer Research UK - all of which have hard working volunteers and staff.

"From January 1, 2022 until my term of office ends in May, I am walking a minimum of 6,000 steps (two-and-a-half miles) each day, regardless of what the weather is and how busy I am!" said Cllr Williams.

"Since March 2020 I have walked over 2,500 miles but the challenge is to do it every day.

"I like to keep active and it's one way to do that!"

At present, Cllr Williams' Just Giving page has raised over £200 from the challenge, while a generous offline donation has also come from local business Jones Bros.

She said "Many thanks to those who have already donated to my Just Giving daily walking challenge on line and also off-line donations.

"Any additional sponsorship would be much appreciated. Donations can be made on www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/heather-williams-578."

Cllr Williams added: "I have also already raised about £900 with the sale of Ruthin calendars.

"In addition I have got a small lottery licence so I can have a ticketed raffle."

Tickets will be on sale soon and Cllr Williams has scheduled the draw for April 25.

She said: "The other thing is that I am organising is a charity evening when I'm holding an auction.

"I really would like to thank the businesses that have donated prizes for my charity raffle and also given offers for the auction.

"Some of the offers in the auction will help to showcase what the Ruthin area has to offer."

Another key component of her year in office has been planting trees in the town.

"I am tree ambassador for the council and I have been working with local organisations," she said.

"We had the flooding in Ruthin and I read that planting trees will help take up the moisture, but tree planting is also good to help with climate change."

The planting of 420 trees at Llanfwrog Community Centre took place at the beginning of December.

"I hope to do more planting at sites in Ruthin, working together with Denbighshire County Council and volunteers from the community," she added.

Cae Ddol and the former Rhos Street School / Ysgol Penbarras site are future tree planting areas.

As well as the town council's flower display competition for businesses, she has been invited to judge a number of other competitions, including scarecrow and Christmas window display competitions.

In addition, Cllr Williams has judged art competitions for school children illustrating the Peers Memorial Town Clock and also drawings of environmental ways in which people can help to save the planet.

Looking back at her time in the role so far, Cllr Williams said: "We haven't been able to hold the normal fundraising events, things like cheese and wine events.

"The Old Courthouse is a venue to hold meetings, events and exhibitions, but with the uncertainty due to Covid 19 during my year we have not been able to hold too many events and have not held any council meetings in the building."

Technology has changed the way councils are now able to function, with regular meetings taking place on Zoom.

"A hybrid meeting is being tested for one of the sub-committees and if that works, we will see if we can hold a full council meeting.

"One of the councillors was in Tenerife recently and was able to join a meeting!" she said.

"I would like to thank all the businesses that have been having a really tough time.

"They're still opening their doors but we need to thank them for staying with us, because it's been very difficult.

"Finally thanks to the various community groups and people in the community who have helped during the height of the pandemic with helping people."