Councillor Ray Gamble is a retired Probation Officer and when he was elected Mayor of Colchester for 2007-08 his theme was "families". Colchester YMCA offers safe, secure and supportive accommodation for 43 local vulnerable 16-25's. The accommodation and training is available for both male and female residents who are referred to us by Colchester Borough Council. In essence we provide the facilities and support normally provided by families for young people in this age group. Councillor Gamble was aware of the quality of Colchester YMCA's provision and readily agreed to accept us as one of his Chosen Charities for his Mayoral Year.

The others were The Army Benevolent Fund, Colchester Relate, Homestart and the 7th and 44th Colchester Scout Troops. During the year trustees, staff and supporters of Colchester YMCA have attended the Mayor's Charities Committee and helped to organise and support a wide variety of events. These have included Music Concerts, a Fun Run, Real Ale Evenings, a Quiz Night, an Indian Buffet and a very enjoyable Mayor's Ball. A trustee of Colchester YMCA, Cllr Theresa Higgins, represented the YMCA at the Oyster Feast. Local companies and organisations have supported the activities of the Mayoral Year and it has been a very enjoyable year for all involved. In addition to the prestige of being chosen as a Mayor's Charity the year has been an opportunity to publicise the work of the YMCA and the excellent provision it makes for local disadvantaged young people. We received our first residents in August 1998 and this is our tenth year of successful operation. We feel very honoured to have been chosen by Councillor Gamble to be part of his very successful Mayoral Year. Due to hard work on the part of the Mayor and Mayoress, their supporters led by Ian McMeeken, and the chosen charities a total in excess of £34,000 was raised during the year which exceeded all our expectations. A cheque for £8,125 was presented to Colchester YMCA and will be used for the direct benefit of our Residents. The cheque was received in a ceremony at the Town Hall on Tuesday 24 June 2008 by the Chairman John Knight and Trustee Dahlia Wilkinson.