Otley's new mayor has named the three causes she will support over the coming year.

Councillor Mary Vickers (pictured) will hold events to benefit the breast cancer unit at Leeds General Infirmary, St James's Univer-sity Hospital's cleft palate unit, and the Sylvia Wright Trust.

The Trust supports the work of former Leeds nurse Sylvia Wright, who sold her home and possessions 30 years ago to head to the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to work with the sick and disabled.

During her three decades in the country Sylvia has built a modern hospital, a school for deaf children, two centres for severely disabled children and many community health projects. She also, in 2009, founded a nursing college.

Coun Vickers, announcing her charity choices for the year when she became mayor last week, said she would “not attempt” to follow her predecessor, Councillor Nigel Francis's, feat.

Coun Francis managed to raise £20,000 – £1,000 apiece – for 20 different charities during his mayoral year, but admitted in his retiring speech that the effort required had "nearly killed" him.