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Oct 2024
Former colleagues raise wheelchair funds for Harrogate businessman David Simister
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Former colleagues of Harrogate businessman David Simister have raised £5,000 towards the cost of an adapted electric wheelchair.
Mr Simister suffered a life-changing stroke in March last year and now requires round-the-clock care.
The funds will go towards the purchase of a specially adapted electric wheelchair which will enable him to spend more time outdoors with his family and two dogs, Sunny and Bear.
Staff at Harrogate-based marketing firm Big Bamboo Agency, who worked closely alongside Mr Simister, decided unanimously he should be the focus of their 2024 fundraising efforts.
They organised bake sales and raffles at their base in Windsor House, and a walk and talk event along the Harrogate Ringway, which Mr Simister’s twin brother, Andrew Simister, joined.
David Simister’s wife, Julie Simister, said:
I am so very grateful for the hard work of everyone connected with this fundraising effort. It is absolutely amazing, and I can’t thank you enough.
David will be so pleased and would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who kindly donated their time, energy and money to help him. It means so much to us all.
I would like to put the money towards getting David get an electric wheelchair, adapted so he can control it himself, so he can get outside more, hopefully with me, Sunny and Bear.
Nicola Stamford, owner and founder of the Big Bamboo Agency, said the support of businesses “is testament to the love and support that he has within a region which he served so wonderfully”.
Mr Simister was a journalist at the Harrogate Advertiser and the Yorkshire Post before becoming PR manager for Yorkshire Water and then setting up Different PR with friend Richard Chew.
Appointed chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce in 2021, he was also a trustee of Harrogate Town FC Community Foundation and the Royal Hall Restoration Trust, as well as a member of Harrogate Hospital Radio for 31 years.
Mr Simister also provided PR services for the likes of Harrogate International Festivals, Harrogate BID and Ashville College, and served for four years on Harrogate Borough Council and four years on North Yorkshire Council.
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