People across the Harrogate district have been paying tribute to Yorkshire broadcasting legend Harry Gration, who died suddenly on Friday.

Helen Mackenzie won Harry’s Heroes last year — a Stray Ferret  competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and Harry to find the people in the district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Helen won for her role in starting Back to Basics in 2019 in Ripon, which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Today she said:

“I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Harry’s sudden passing.

“As Harry’s Heroes last summer I had the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh when he presented my award. It’s so lovely when you finally meet a celebrity and he turns out to be just as nice as he is on the telly.

“I was honoured to be the first Harry’s Hero. I am devastated that I am also the last. Hopefully this wonderful accolade can still be kept alive by Harry’s colleagues in his memory.

“My love and prayers go to his wife and family. Rest in Peace, Harry.”

Helen Mackenzie with Harry and Alex Hutton (centre), who nominated Helen.

Harrogate Spring Water described Harry as a “true gentleman” in a tweet.

We were honoured to have worked with Harry on our Harry’s Heroes campaign. What a true gentleman. RIP Harry. https://t.co/Qat66Km7ne

— HarrogateSpringWater (@HarrogateSpring) June 27, 2022

Sue Cawthray, from elderly care charity Harrogate Neighbours sent us this message:

“Together with Yorkshire, I am still in shock at such sad news. Can’t believe I was only sat listening to him last Saturday 18 June at the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Dinner. So funny, entertaining and interesting. Always a supporter of local charities.

“Lovely memory of a news story we did with him on our meals service at Harrogate Neighbours. Was a pleasure to meet him on several occasions through the work I do as a member of the ICG board.”

Artist Caryl Hallett designed the stained glass monument in Harrogate’s Montpellier district that was commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council to celebrate the town hosting the Tour De France Grand Depart. Harry came along to support when it was unveiled.

Caryl’s husband, Shaun Hallett, said:

“He was interested, inquisitive, friendly, helpful, and charming.

 “Hopefully, Caryl’s piece will be enjoyed by many for years to come and will help to represent a legacy that has been steadily building in terms of local cycling participation.

“There can be no doubt that Harry’s legacy as a journalist, presenter, and reporter of the very highest quality is firmly cemented in the hearts and minds of Yorkshire people. “

Read More: 

• The Stray Ferret pays tribute to Harry Gration
• WATCH: Ripon woman crowned Harry’s Hero for helping disadvantage families

A mother of five has been talking to the Stray Ferret about the struggle to keep her head above water during lockdown and how it prompted dark ‘thoughts of ending it all’.

With the promise that her identity would be protected, the mother agreed to speak with us as she hopes it will help others.

This is her story.

“I had maxed out on my cards, the bills and red reminders were coming in and I had run out of food to feed my family.

“We had been living on pasta, perhaps with a bit of cheese sprinkled on it – but the last packet was now empty.

“I didn’t know where to turn and felt like a worthless failure, who had let her children down, everything looked bleak.

“I started having black thoughts about ending it all.”

Weekly food and recipes from Back to Basics, along with sound advice, proved a lifeline for a Ripon mother

But with practical assistance and advice, she is getting her life back on track. The mum found out about Back to Basics – an organisation that is helping Ripon families by tackling the fundamental issues of food poverty.

In addition to providing a regular supply of free ingredients and instructions on how to turn them into a nutritious family meal, Back to Basics helped the mother begin to sort out her finances.

She said:

“They could see that lack of food in my cupboards and fridge was just the tip of the iceberg.

“If I tried to pay overdue bills, I couldn’t afford to buy food and life was scary.

“Helen Mackenzie and her Back to Basics organisation saved my life.

“While teaching me how to make healthy meals on a budget, they also pointed me in the direction of people, agencies and advice services that have helped me to get my financial situation under control.”

Read more:

• Food poverty pioneers support the impoverished in Ripon
• Ripon Community donates 50 tonnes of food and other essential items
• Free fairground rides to help hard-up Ripon families this summer

In November 2019 – more than a year before coronavirus reached the UK – North Yorkshire’s former director of public health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, published a report titled ‘Life in times of change – health and hardship in North Yorkshire’

This estimated that 92,000 people (15%) living in the county fell within the Government’s definition of poverty.

In Dr Sargeant’s report, he noted a re-emergence of destitution:

“There is still a striking similarity between poverty in the past and poverty today. They are still largely due to unemployment and low household income.”

He added:

“It can be hidden from view; where people live with the challenges of poverty among less disadvantaged neighbours.”

The covid crisis has made the situation worse for many families. This mother’s story shows how real those challenges of poverty are.

Have you been affected to be this story or in a similar situation? If you want to tell your story get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk