A boy who has battled a rare illness, a young woman rebuilding her life after a horrific accident, and a fashion designer who has defied brain injury to build her own business were all recognised at the 28th Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards last night. 

The three, all from the Harrogate district, were among seven winners to pick up awards at the event, which was held at Leeds United’s Centenary Pavilion.  

The awards are sponsored by Harrogate-based McCormicks Solicitors and organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, which has now raised more than £1.3m for children’s charities in the region. 

Seven-year-old Archie Flintoft from Harrogate took the Youngster of the Year title, while the Unsung Hero Award went to Lucie Maguire of Kirkby Malzeard and the award for Achievement in Management and Enterprise was taken by Lucy Winn of Whixley. 

Peter McCormick OBE, who chairs the awards, said: 

“It was a very special evening after a break of three years because of the Covid pandemic and there was much to celebrate. There were stories of incredible fortitude and outstanding success and it is fair to say we continue to be amazed by the fantastic young people in our region. 

“These awards are our main fundraiser of the year and none of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors and our guests, many of whom have been with us almost since the beginning, and I am very proud that with their help, we were able to continue our grants programme helping young people across the region throughout the pandemic.” 

The other award winners included Whitby-born footballer Beth Mead, who helped the England women’s team to their historic victory in the European Championships this summer. She was named Personality of the Year, an award that was sponsored by Rudding Park. 

A special award was also presented to Chris Blundell, the entrepreneur behind Provenance Inns, which runs eight pub-restaurants across North Yorkshire, including The West Park in Harrogate. The award, sponsored by GMI Property, recognised his commitment and dedication to the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards. 

Mr McCormick said:

“Chris has been a long-term supporter of the foundation, regularly hosting events such as our annual launch party and donating prizes where appropriate. He is also the organiser of the Yorkshire Charity Clay Days, from which the Foundation has benefited twice to the sum of tens of thousands of pounds.

“We are delighted to recognise Chris’s contribution with this award.” 

The other award winners were: 

Austin Haynes (Leeds), Achievement in the Arts, sponsored by Martin Gerrard 

Benji Chandra (Leeds), Achievement in Education, sponsored by Harrogate Town 

Hannah Cockroft OBE (Halifax), Achievement in Sport, sponsored by Leeds United 

Archie Flintoft, Youngster of the Year, sponsored by Nabarro McAllister 

Archie Flintoft has a very rare life-changing condition which is currently incurable. He was first diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) when he was a baby. His mum notice he was pale and unresponsive and after visiting the GP he was rushed to hospital, receiving two transfusions at two different hospitals in two days. Numerous tests followed until a faulty gene causing DBA was identified. 

Seven-year-old Archie, from Harrogate, has to undergo three-weekly blood transfusions as well as medication all night every night delivered by a needle in his thigh to protect his liver and heart. He has become so good at dealing with this that he even puts the needle in himself sometimes but it does mean that he cannot do some of the things that other youngsters take for granted, like going for sleepovers with his friends. 

He has now reached a total of nearly 100 blood transfusions, coping with endless visits to hospitals both in Yorkshire and London. Because he receives donor blood, the iron levels in his blood can build too high, hence the nightly medication. 

His family have fundraised both for the DBAUK group and to help cover the cost of the frequent London trips. 

Lucie Maguire, Unsung Hero, sponsored by Jamboree Entertainment 

Lucie Maguire was 19-year-old apprentice working with babies at a nursery in Ripley near Harrogate in 2021 but driving home from work with her mum, Sue, their car began to fill with smoke. Lucy got out to try and help her mum but was hit by a passing tractor, receiving catastrophic injuries. 

She lost her right leg at the hip, broke her back and suffered internal injuries and has spent months in hospital, undergoing numerous operations, and is awaiting more. 

The nerve damage she suffered in the accident meant that doctors were not sure if she would ever even be able to sit up. But she has worked hard to regain movement and is now able to use a power wheelchair for short periods and has learned to stand again with a frame. 

Her recovery received a setback when she suffered a serious infection in her leg while undergoing rehab, meaning her next operation had to be delayed, but she is still making plans for the future and has just moved into her own home to live as independently as she can. 

Lucie, of Kirkby Malzeard, is determined both to find a way to work with young people in the future and to share her experiences, including her time in various hospitals in ITU and major trauma wards, to help other people deal with their own life-changing circumstances. 

Lucy Winn, Achievement in Management and Enterprise, sponsored by CHR Estates 

Lucy Winn has overcome adversity to set up and run her own successful clothing business in London. 

When she was 15, she woke up one morning to find the left-hand side of her face was paralysed. Investigations revealed a brain abscess, necessitating surgery and months in hospital for rehabilitation. She missed time at school but still went on to achieve her GCSEs and A-levels in Business, Art and Textiles. 

However, Lucy’s problems were not over and at 19 she began to suffer seizures through epilepsy, brought on by the scarring to her brain. Despite this, she studied at Leeds College of Art before joining Westminster University to gain a degree in Fashion Marketing and Promotion. 

After a spell back at home in Whixley while her epilepsy was investigated and treatment began, she returned to London to take up a sales post. Then the pandemic hit, and she was furloughed. Using her skills to upcycle old garments into new looks, she launched her own business, the Vintage Studio. 

Working at home initially, she built up a social media following, including a number of influencers, and now has an Instagram following of more than 13,000 and some high-profile customers, including singers Mimi Webb and Zara Larsson. 

Lucy now has a studio in Fulham and is keen to build her business yet further by employing a small team to offer sustainable small collections, retaining a unique look but enabling more customers to purchase something they may have seen on her sites. 

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Yorkshire-based non-profit, Better Connect hosted an event in Harrogate to celebrate the success of its Action Towards Inclusion project.

ATI is an employability programme aimed at supporting those who are furthest from the labour market.

It has provided specialist support to help individuals across Yorkshire to overcome significant barriers, begin training, start the job search and secure employment. The project has helped over 3,000 people transform their lives, and secure training and employment.

A total of 180 people from across the Yorkshire region gathered at the Majestic Hotel  to honour the contributions of participants and the programme’s leaders, and celebrate the significant impact ATI has made.

Natasha Babar-Evans, chief executive at Better Connect said:

“This programme has made such a huge impact, and it was both emotional and encouraging to hear some of the incredible stories, the amazing journeys that people have made, the progress they’ve made, what they’ve achieved, and how important this programme has been to them.”

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Care award for Vida employee

A specialist care worker at Harrogate based Vida Healthcare, has won the Dementia Care Leader award at the Social Care Leadership Awards 2022. 

Bernadette Mossman, Vida’s healthcare director, won for her outstanding contribution to health and social care, particularly in relation to the care of people living with dementia.

The Social Care Leadership Awards provide an opportunity to showcase excellence in senior leadership in the sector.

Vida operates three care homes which provide care for over 210 people living with dementia, with over 450 staff currently employed across a number of roles.

Commenting on her win, Ms Mossman said:

“Since starting my career in health and social care, I’ve met so many amazing people and have achieved things that I’m extremely proud of. This award win is one such achievement.

“Being recognised by my peers and receiving this award means a lot to me, and I’m touched that my passion and dedication to supporting people living with dementia and our colleagues has been recognised.”

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Harrogate sales director in line for national social mobility award

A senior sales director in Harrogate has been shortlisted for a national award.

Rob Manton, who works for Procter and Gamble at its Harrogate branch on Hornbeam Park, is nominated in the mentor of the year category of the UK Social Mobility Awards.

The awards recognise UK organisations working to improve social mobility in their workforces, as well as elsewhere. They are organised by societal change charity Making the Leap and have been running for six years.

Mr Manton said:

“It’s a real honour to be selected as a finalist for mentor of the year. It’s a role that I take huge pleasure in playing, helping support a more diverse and inclusive recruitment programme to enable more people from different backgrounds to have the same opportunities to reach their potential.

“Through the partnerships we have built at P&G I have had the pleasure of meeting some exceedingly talented young people who have so much to offer to businesses, some of whom we have welcomed to P&G as apprentices.

“I would like to wish all the finalists good luck; it’s wonderful to see the commitment to drive change across so many companies – it’s this momentum we need to level the playfield for everyone.”

He is nominated alongside Ian Morley, P&G’s vice-president for sales in northern Europe, who has been shortlisted in the champion of the year category.

The winners will be decided by an independent judging panel chaired by the Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE. The results will be announced at a gala event in October.

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Contractor begins work at Ripon Spa Hotel

Work has begun on the refurbishment of Ripon Spa Hotel.

It was bought by The Inn Collection Group last June for an undisclosed sum.

Now, contractor STP Construction, from Gateshead, has started work to transform the 40-bedroom hotel. Its ballroom and terrace bar will also be renovated, along with the self-contained Turf Tavern Bar Bistro.

Speaking last year after The Inn Collection Group bought the hotel, managing director Sean Donkin said:

“Its picturesque location in such a popular part of the UK makes it the perfect fit for The Inn Collection Group and our offering.

“We’re excited to be furthering our expansion plans with such a great site, and are proud to be continuing to thrive during these challenging times for the hospitality sector.”

The Inn Collection Group, based in Newcastle, has more than 30 venues in its portfolio, mostly across the north-east and north-west of England.

This week, it appointed STP Construction for another of its properties, the 53-bedroom former Park Hotel in Tynemouth, North Tyneside.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Chamber meeting to focus on business support

Practical and financial support to businesses across the Harrogate district will be in the spotlight at a meeting on Monday.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will focus on the routes to support with three speakers at its July event.

Steve Bolton is a lead consultant with Harrogate Borough Council and will discuss the Welcome Back Fund, which works collaboratively with SMEs and partners across North Yorkshire.

Amrit Choda of Aspire2lead will outline how the project works, with part funding from the European Social Fund. It aims to offer free support to women to boost their skills and confidence, and help them to contribute to the growth of businesses in the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Area (LEP).

Finally, Danny Wild, pictured, principal of Harrogate College, will introduce its new student-workers programme, which helps employers to fill vacancies while also giving work experience to students.

Chamber chief executive David Simister said:

“For Harrogate businesses seeking information about what financial grants, practical support and staff training they can access, then our July meeting is a must attend event.

“And I’m delighted to say this meeting is open to non-members too. The aim of our meetings is to educate and inform, and this is what July’s speakers will do.”

The meeting takes place at Harrogate College on Hornbeam Park on Monday, July 11, from 5.30pm, and is open to members and visitors.

To book a place, visit the chamber website.

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A special event has been held to thank a team of carers covering the Harrogate district during the pandemic.

Continued Care, which has headquarters in Harrogate and a base in Ripon, held the Celebration and Thank You Evening to recognise its staff’s achievements in the face of unprecedented challenges over the last two years.

The event was also an opportunity to present long service awards and announce the carer of the year awards for each branch at the home care company. The winners were Sophie Philp in Harrogate and Janet Bettridge in Ripon.

Director Samantha Harrison said:

“Working through Covid has been one of the hardest things we have experienced but through it all our staff have shown great determination and resilience, working together as a team and putting others before themselves.

“Before the pandemic, their jobs were hard enough but our staff have been selfless and focused on doing their best for our clients who are among the most vulnerable in our community.

“Their kindness, compassion and generosity has been inspirational. We wanted to say thank you and tell each of them how amazing they are and how proud we are of them.”

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Long service certificates and badges were presented to nearly half of Continued Care’s staff – 65 people out of 140 – who have been with the company for five years or more.

Making the presentations, area manager Mike Herrington said it was amazing to have such a high proportion of long-serving staff in the company, given the well-known challenges of employee retention in the care sector.

He added:

“This is testament to the quality of our staff and what they do for us, as well as what we do for them,  and how we all work together to make sure people get the best service we can give them.”

A new Harrogate based childrenswear brand is due to launch at the Great Yorkshire Show in July.  

The high-end country style clothing store will be online, but will also have stands at various country events and shows.

It plans to sell a variety of sustainable products, from tweed coats to hand-knitted cashmere boots.  

Eleanor Charles’ tweed range

Mum of two and former solicitor Katie Heptonstall started the plans for Eleanor Charles after the pandemic hit.  

After moving from London back to Harrogate when her father-in-law suffered a heart attack, Mrs Heptonstall and her husband chose to stay in the town after the birth of their children, Elle and Charlie, who the business is named after. 

She said:  

“I am really excited to bring together everything we have been working so hard on over the last few months and to bring Eleanor Charles to life at the Great Yorkshire Show. 

“It has been a complete change for me in my career, I have learnt so much over the last few months and I have enjoyed every second of it.” 

The shop will launch at the Great Yorkshire Show , which runs from Tuesday, July 12 to Friday, July 15, where the clothing stand will also have a sofa for breastfeeding, a baby changing area, a colouring table and a photo wall.

The Alice Hawthorn pub wins three regional awards for architecture 

The Alice Hawthorn pub in Nun Monkton has won three regional RIBA awards for Yorkshire, celebrating its architecture and sustainability.  

The hotel and pub won the regional Yorkshire award, the Yorkshire sustainability award and the Yorkshire client of the year award at the ceremony held in London.  

Twelve new guest bedrooms were recently designed by De Matos Ryan, with the aim of preventing the pub from closing.  

Since four local taverns closed down, The Alice Hawthorn is the only remaining pub in the village.  

The new timber frame buildings include the sheds, field barn, stables and tack room

De Matos Ryan director Angus Morrogh-Ryan said: 

“We are delighted that this project has been recognised by the RIBA Yorkshire jury in this way.  

“It has been an honour to collaborate with such a brilliant client and contractor team, and together ensure that this village pub will continue to sustainably service its community but also welcome visitors from afar.” 

The ensuite bedrooms were designed with sustainable elements including timber frame buildings, low energy lighting and a heat pump for hot water and heating. 

The Alice Hawthorn has now been shortlisted for the RIBA national awards, which will take place later this year.  

A special cat from Harrogate is in the running for a national award for helping her companion Jessica Swift cope with various health conditions.

Jessica, who is 16, has a chromosome disorder known as 15q11.2 deletion, as well as autism, epilepsy, learning disabilities and disordered eating.

Her best friend is Max, a male seven-year-old tabby.

During the night Jessica sometimes has seizures and Max will run to her parents to let them know that she needs help. After she’s had a seizure, the devoted mog will cuddle up and comfort her.

Sometimes Jessica has to spend time in hospital and mum Zoe Curtis said that at such times Max is not himself, and that he paces around and jumps into her arms as soon as she gets home.

Ms Curtis said:

“Max and Jessica are inseparable, and they get so much enjoyment from each other’s company.

“Jessica can sometimes have seizures in the night, and we have an alarm to let us know when this is happening. But Max is often already on the case, running to us to let us know we need to come and help Jessica. After she’s had a seizure, he’ll cuddle up close to her, which is such a comfort for her.

“Max has his own health problems, as he has a heart condition which needs daily medication. Jessica will hold him while I give him his tablet – there’s no one else he’ll allow to do that.

“Jessica will have little tea parties for her toys, and Max always joins in. The love they have for each other is clear for everyone to see. In Max, Jessica has a best friend and a constant companion.”

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Max has been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2022.

He beat hundreds of other entries and is one of three contenders in the Furr-ever Friends category, which celebrates the bond between children and cats.

Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said:

“It’s truly heartwarming to hear of the incredible bond Jessica and Max share, and how they care for each other. Their story really highlights what an amazing effect cats can have on the lives of people of all ages.”

If Max wins his category, he will also be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year.

Harrogate business Glawning Ltd has been named microbusiness of the year at the Federation of Small Businesses awards.  

Glawning, which sells awnings and accessories for campervans, was set up in 2013 by husband and wife James and Sarah Martin.

Since then, the company has flourished, and last year turned over more than £500,000.

The annual awards, which celebrate the best of small business and entrepreneurship, attracted more than 3,000 entries from the UK.  

Glawning won the Yorkshire award before defeating 12 other regional finalists at yesterday’s event in Glasgow, which was hosted by TV presenters Clare Balding and JJ Chalmers.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was also there to address the nominees.  

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Ms Martin said:  

“We set up our business after identifying a gap in the market and this award is very much a testament to all the work we have put into creating and launching a product that we ourselves need and use.” 

The company now plans to launch in Europe and the USA this year.

Martin McTague, FSB national chair said:  

“This is an example of a small business that recognised an opening for a new product and worked hard to create something that has been a success amongst the campervan community.

“I wish them success as they continue to innovate and create new products and take on the international markets.” 

Bettys will close its tea rooms early today as staff gather to celebrate the end of two difficult years.

The ‘Big Get Together’ will see all 1,600 staff from Bettys & Taylors invited to mark the hard work done by the company’s individuals and teams since 2020.

Today will be the first time everyone has been able to get together for what has been an annual celebration since the start of the covid pandemic.

Organiser Victoria Turner said:

“Every year we hold our internal Honours Awards which recognise the achievements and successes of our people over the 12 months.

“This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Bettys & Taylors coming together as Group, so it’s a special opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate and reconnect after the challenges of the last two years.”

The tea rooms at Harrogate, York, Northallerton and Ilkley will close at 3.30pm today, while Harlow Carr closes at 4pm, to allow staff to join the celebrations.

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Staff from Hustle & Co collect their award.

A Harrogate start-up company’s efforts to overcome the challenges of covid have been recognised.

Hustle & Co was one of three finalists from 24 nominated organisations in the new business starter of the year category at Yorkshire Choice Awards.

The awards ceremony, attended by 700 people in Leeds, recognised independent businesses in Yorkshire.

Hustle & Co, which is co-owned by Nici Routledge and Jo Bradshaw, opened in December 2020 on Prince Albert Row.

Ms Routledge said making the top three was recognition of the tenacity of everyone at Hustle & Co during a difficult period for start-ups due to covid and Brexit.

Bishop Thornton home care company recognised as one of UK’s best

Carla Hainsworth (left) and Lorna Miles from Carefound.

Carefound Home Care has won an award for being one of the top 20 home care groups in the UK.

Nearly a million disabled and older people receive care at home so they can stay living independently. This includes help with getting dressed, washed, preparing meals and drinks and administering medication.

Carefound was named as one of the top 20 home care providers in the UK based on reviews given at care reviews site www.homecare.co.uk.

Oliver Stirk, managing director of Carefound, said:

“This award is especially welcomed because it is based on actual reviews from our clients and their friends and family, who clearly recognise the outstanding care our home care team provides across Yorkshire.”

Amanda Hopkins, reviews manager of homecare.co.uk, said:

“Carefound has proved that it provides a high standard of care and we’d like to congratulate it on being a top home care group.”

Carefound operates in North Yorkshire, Cheshire and Nottinghamshire.

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