A NEWLY-elected council chairman has announced ambitious plans to raise a total of £12,000 in 12 months to benefit 12 charities.

Mark Platt was elected as chairman of Tendring Council at the authority’s annual meeting.

Mr Platt, 43, has represented Frinton’s Hamford ward since 2011 and was vice-chairman of the council for the past 12 months.

He said: “I’m delighted to become chairman of the council – to be able to serve the people of Tendring in this way is a real honour and a privilege.

“I’m always looking to achieve as much as possible and have set myself the task of raising money for 12 charities throughout my year as chairman of the council.”

Mr Platt hopes to raise £1,000 for each charity and will choose a different charity each month.

The first event on May 20 will see a Pier to Pier walk in aid of Guide Dogs.

Mr Platt said: “For many years now I have been helping this charity and I’m currently training my fifth guide dog puppy.

“I will be running a dog walk from Clacton Pavilion to Walton Pier. I’m looking to involve as many people as possible with their dogs to be part of the walk.”

The second event in June will be the Black Tie Ball in Harwich, which will raise cash in aid of Clacton, Harwich and Walton lifeboat stations Mr Platt, who previously volunteered as an air ambulance pilot, will also take to the skies for a sponsored wing-walk in aid of Prostate Cancer UK on July 18.

The fourth event on August 12 will see money raised for St Helena Hospice at a special 150th anniversary celebration of the opening of Walton Railway Station.

Mr Platt said: “I have arranged for the steam locomotive Tornado 60163 to travel from Liverpool Street non-stop to Walton for a special celebration at Walton Railway Station.

“Following that there will be an opportunity to relive the golden era of steam as the train begins a non-stop service to Colchester Town for the day. Money we raise from selling tickets will be donated to the hospice.”

Mr Platt is a former St Philomena’s, Frinton Primary and Tendring Technology College student and served in Romania’s air ambulance service before returning to the UK to run his family’s department store, Frinton-based Harwoods of Essex.

He is married to Raluca and has two children, James, 19, and Victoria, 16.

Mr Platt added: “My theme for the year is ‘This is Tendring’ and I would like to use the opportunity to celebrate everything that is great and fantastic about our district.

“We have our areas of need just like any other place, but we have also got so much going for us that we should celebrate it.”

Brightlingsea councillor Karen Yallop was elected as the new vice-chairman.