I am going to be 50 years old on 22nd November! It only seems a short time ago that I was stressed out about becoming 20 and now here I am hurtling towards middle age.

This year I am asking friends, family and the people of Cheltenham to make a donation to the Mayor of Cheltenham Charity Appeal if they want to wish me happy birthday.

It would certainly take the sting out of waving goodbye to my 40s if this landmark birthday meant I could raise vital funds for two of my favourite charities.

Since May I have been Mayor of Cheltenham and met many fantastic local people and experienced many wonderful things; it is the honour of my life and I am enjoying every minute.

I am thinking about the legacy to leave from my mayoral year and raising a lot of money for two inspirational local charities is one way of doing this.

Each year the Mayor of Cheltenham raises funds for their chosen charities through the Mayors Charity Appeal.

This year I have chosen the Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity's Focus Fund, which supports cancer patients at Cheltenham General Hospital. 

Also the Hollie Gazzard Trust works hard to educate people about and address domestic abuse.

Please help me to help these amazing local charities to make a difference to people affected by cancer or domestic abuse.

Any amount you can afford would be most welcome and will go to help people affected by incredibly difficult circumstances.

Klara.