The two recipients, Feeding Families and the animal rescue service Stray Aid, both operate within the county’s boundaries.
Thousands of families across the region facing “food poverty” have benefitted from deliveries from the charity’s distribution centre in Blaydon. Two thousand food boxes are sent out every month and during the last year more than160,000 meals have reached families on the breadline.
From its County Durham base Stray Aid dedicates support and protection to abandoned dogs and homeless cats.
On her appointment the city-born mayor said she was honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to represent the communities and organisations which “make this wonderful; city what it is.”
She said: “My chosen charities are really important to me. At a time of higher living costs helping struggling families facing poverty is vital, as too is sheltering abandoned animals.”
Coun. Mrs Brown, the representative for Neville’s Cross for seven years, is married for with four children. She has followed a varied career, embracing garden design, cleaning houses and working for the BBC.
