A Mayor Who Gave Her Heart to Havering: Sue Ospreay Raises More Than £101,000 for Charity
Former Mayor of Havering Councillor Sue Ospreay has formally presented a remarkable £101,065.05 to the MCA Trust following an extraordinary year of fundraising during her 2025/26 mayoral term.
The six-figure total represents a year of incredible dedication, hard work and tireless fundraising by Sue, who became known throughout Havering as the people’s mayor.
The special cheque presentation took place at Harris Academy Rainham, where Sue was joined by Keith and Joanne Isaacs from the MCA Trust and the MCA Superstars, who helped celebrate the remarkable achievement.
But behind the impressive figure is something far more meaningful than money.
It is a reflection of a mayor who spent her year reaching out to people, supporting good causes and putting charity and the community at the heart of her time in office.
Sue’s commitment to fundraising saw her give countless hours to supporting events, meeting residents, encouraging donations and helping shine a light on causes that matter to people across the borough.
Her mayoral year was not simply about attending official engagements.
It was about people.
It was about turning up, listening, helping and making a difference wherever she could.
That is why the title “the people’s mayor” became so closely associated with Sue.
She had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and those who met her often spoke about the warmth, kindness and genuine compassion she showed towards them.
For Sue, charity was never simply about raising a cheque.
It was about the people behind the causes.
It was about families, children, volunteers, community groups and individuals who needed support.
And throughout her mayoral year, she worked tirelessly to help them.
The final figure of £101,065.05 is therefore an extraordinary achievement and a fitting reflection of the enormous amount of effort that went into her year of service.
The presentation at Harris Academy Rainham was a chance to celebrate that achievement and the many people who helped make it possible.
Sue was also joined by the MCA Superstars, whose presence added to what was a particularly special occasion.
For a former mayor who gave so much of herself to Havering, the presentation marked the culmination of a year that touched the lives of countless people.
Sue Ospreay did not simply wear the chain of office.
She used her position to champion those who needed a voice, support charities and bring people together.
She became a mayor who was seen at community events, charity occasions and gatherings across the borough, always ready to lend her support.
Her endless commitment and generosity of spirit left a lasting impression.
For many who met her during her year as mayor, Sue will be remembered not simply for the amount she raised, remarkable though that figure is, but for the kindness she showed along the way.
And perhaps that is why the words “the people’s mayor” became so fitting.
Because Sue did not just represent Havering.
She reached out to its people, stood alongside them and, through her extraordinary year of fundraising, helped make a real difference to the community she was so proud to serve.
£101,065.05 is the final figure.
But the true legacy of Sue Ospreay’s mayoral year cannot be measured in pounds and pence.
It can be measured in the people she helped, the charities she supported, the lives she touched and the memories she created.
A remarkable year. An extraordinary fundraising achievement. And a mayor who truly gave her heart to Havering.
The MCA Trust supports children and young people with cancer and their families across Essex and East London. Its work includes financial and emotional support, respite and dream holidays, support for hospital equipment and children’s oncology areas, and help with education and careers for young people whose lives have been disrupted by cancer treatment.
The MCA Superstars taking part in the handover were Dotty Rees, Jacob and Caleb Laherne, Darcey Sparks, Oliver and Benjamin Sakalauskas, Bella Rees, Faith Foskew and Harry Sparks.
Sue chose the MCA Trust as the charity she would support during her year as Mayor of Havering and spent her mayoral term helping to raise funds through community events and activities across the borough.
The £101,065.05 total is believed to be the highest amount ever raised by a Mayor of Havering for their chosen mayoral charity, surpassing previously published mayoral fundraising totals.
The final cheque for £101,065.05 represents the culmination of that fundraising effort and will support the charity’s work with children and families facing cancer across Essex and East London.
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