charity Archives - Page 14 of 40

17 more defibrillators to be available in Harrogate district

Local voluntary organisations in the Harrogate district are set to be given 17 public defibrillators.

The move comes as part of £22,000 worth of funding from Harrogate Borough Council.

The council, which will be abolished at the end of today, launched a defibrillator grant scheme in January.

Defibrillators provide 24-hour access to life-saving emergency equipment when a cardiac arrest is suspected.

The council has now selected the 17 groups which will receive them.

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council and chair of the voluntary and community sector liaison group, said:

“I am delighted that the borough council has been able to provide these defibrillators to local communities.

“They can save lives, and while I hope they never have to be used, it is reassuring to know that so many are now out there across the district.”

Dishforth Parish Council, which has received funding for a defibrillator, said:

“This grant will play a vital part in ensuring our parishioners and members of the public have the use of a defibrillator at the playing field and sports pavilion should it be needed.”

Starbeck Tennis Club said:

“It is so important to our members and the neighbourhood that this defibrillator is available for anyone who needs access as every second matters in a medical emergency.”

Groups that will receive defibrillators

1. Dishforth Parish Council

2. Fewston Parochial Hall

3. Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw Parish Council

4. Healey Masham

5. High Ellington Masham

6. Knaresborough Football Club

7. Knaresborough Lions

8. Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club

9. Little Ribston Village Hall

10. Low Burton

11. Moor Monkton Parish Council

12. Ripon Community Link

13. Rotary Club of Knaresborough

14. Starbeck Tennis club

15. The Parish Meeting of South Stainley with Cayton

16. Thornthwaite Scout Centre

17. Thruscross Parish Council

Volunteers needed to help disabled children ride ponies

A charity that helps children with disabilities enjoy the thrill of riding ponies is appealing for volunteers.

Riding for the Disabled Association enables children from four specialist schools in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas to ride each week.

But each child requires three volunteers to supervise and some children are missing out because of a shortage of helpers.

The charity is therefore hosting an open session on April 25 to allow people to see what’s involved.

It seeks people aged over 16 to give three hours of time on Tuesdays, particularly in the afternoon, during term times.

Experience with horses and children is not essential and training is provided. Sessions take place at Harrogate Riding Centre at Burn Bridge.

Children can only ride if they have three people supervising.

Shona Crichton, principal at The Forest School, Knaresborough, said:

“For some of our children at The Forest School, the experience of being on a pony is transformational. We see children as young as five who have incredibly complex physical and or learning needs overjoyed at the freedom of movement they can’t achieve on the ground.

“Positive mood changes, confidence, social development and building core strength are other vital benefits. We are really grateful to the Riding for Disabled volunteers who give their time to make this happen”.

Margaret Flannery, who has been volunteering for four years, said:

“I love it. Where else can I get my steps in for the day whatever the weather as we’re in an indoor arena, have a laugh with a great bunch of people, do something different to my normal routine and see what a difference I’m making to the children.

“We really need more volunteers to join us though if we are to keep the sessions running so I hope we can recruit some more much needed volunteers as I’d really miss it if we couldn’t keep going”.

About 10 volunteers are wanted. To find out more, contact Jane on 07786980195 or visit here.

Former Made in Chelsea star on £1m charity quest in Ripon

Former Made in Chelsea reality TV star Josh Patterson ran into Ripon yesterday evening to complete the 21st leg of his marathon effort to raise £1million for the Samaritans.

The 33-year-old aims to run 76 marathons in 76 days, covering every city across the four nations of the UK.

After completing the Ripon stage at the city’s cathedral, he told the Stray Ferret:

“My goal is to raise £1million so that as many people as possible going through mental struggles can get the crucial support they need from the the charity.

“As well as raising money, I’m aiming to raise the profile of the incredible life-saving work that Samaritans do by answering phone calls from people in vulnerable situations and listening, giving guidance and letting those who need help know that they are never alone.”

Josh Patterson is pictured with (from left) Millie Gray, Lottie Venables, Leanne Anderson and Lisa Medd, who ran with him yesterday.

Mr Patterson posted some spectacular images of the Ripon leg of his challenge on his Instagram page here.

On the Justgiving page he has set up, he said he has personally been affected by mental illness over the years and pointed out:

“It is simply unimaginable to have to face mental health problems alone. Just £5 equals one lifesaving phone call (and) raising £1million will fund 200,000 phone calls.”

For yesterday’s Ripon marathon stage, Mr Patterson was joined by a number of local athletes, including Lottie Venables, who said:

“What Josh is doing is absolutely remarkable and I admire him for the way he is raising money for such an important cause.”

Today Mr Patterson is on the road again, with the 22nd leg of his marathon quest in York.

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Follifoot riding group volunteers celebrate 30 years of service

A Follifoot disabled riding club is celebrating six of its volunteers reaching 30 years of service.

Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group, which was established in 1986, has helped more than 100 riders from children to adults enjoy the benefits of horse riding.

The charity now has 120 volunteers who help those who are disabled to ride.

This past week, six of the group’s volunteers were awarded certificates for reaching three decades of service.

Beryl Fleming, one of those who reached the milestone, said:

“It is a real pleasure volunteering here and so rewarding to see the progress that our riders make and the fun that horse riding gives them.”

Morag Bennett, chair of the riding group, said:

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity and we are lucky to have so many people willing to give up their time to help our riders.

“To have served for 30 years is a remarkable achievement and shows amazing dedication for which we’re very grateful.

“We are also fortunate to be based at Follifoot Park Riding Centre, with its excellent facilities and continued support.”

For more information on the group and how to get involved, visit the charity’s website here.

Dancing through the night to support Harrogate charity

A town centre cafe in Harrogate will be transformed into a dancehall for one night only this weekend.

Artizan Cafe and Creative Space on Cambridge Road is organising a danceathon to launch its new crowdfunding campaign.

The money raised will help to fund more events for its differently able members.

Liz Cluderay, UK programmes officer for Artizan International, said:

“This event is created by the team at the cafe themselves, which is pretty awesome when you’re running a charity.

“They wanted to do something that would involve our members being able to attend as well.

“It’s based in the cafe — somewhere our members know and feel comfortable. It’s starting at 6pm, so the cafe is closed but it’s still an early enough time for our members to be able to attend.”

In the run-up to the event this week, the Artizan team arrived at the cafe on Thursday morning to discover the window had been broken during the night.

However, they said the damage will not affect the danceathon, which is going ahead as planned.

To help keep a steady flow of dancers through the evening, participants are asked to book a time slot for their arrival.

Volunteers and team members from Artizan are preparing to be there into the early hours of Sunday, as long as the dancers want to continue.

Local instructor Colin Frith will lead the dancing for part of the evening, bringing some members of CMF Dance with him.

It is the first big event for Artizan since it opened the cafe last January. Liz said the last 14 months have been more successful than they ever expected:

“It has been incredible. It has far exceeded our expectation.

“Harrogate has welcomed us with open arms. The cafe is really well-attended and people are very supportive of what we’re doing here.

“We’re managing to reach a lot of disabled adults who we’re trying to help. We just need to keep it going.”

Artizan is hoping to raise £5,000 through its crowdfunder, and has rewards on offer to supporters. Click here to find out more.

Stray Ferret Business Awards: Inclusivity Award

The Inclusivity Award is sponsored by Kempston-Parkes.

Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors is highly experienced in valuing and inspecting residential properties.

Kempston-Parkes has an unrivalled knowledge of the local property market.

This award is designed to give recognition to a company that has made employees and customers feel welcome, safe and free to be themselves, regardless of nationality, gender, race or sexual orientation.

Finalists

Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space is a Harrogate café and workshop staffed entirely by differently-able people.

The café provides creative training, work experience and employment opportunities to adults with learning disabilities.

The staff are trained in food preparation, customer service, handling money, food hygiene and much more.

A parent of one staff member said “no one has believed in them like this before. The café has given them an opportunity to succeed, rather than just activities to keep them busy”.

Liz Cluderay, the UK director of Artizan Café and Creative Space, said:

“Everyone at Artizan International is on a journey. For all our differently-able participants, it’s a journey from invisible to visible, from isolation to community, from the margins to the centre.

“For the local community visiting and supporting the café, it’s a journey towards a more inclusive society, where everyone is welcomed, respected and valued.”

Horticap

Horticap is a Harrogate charity providing adults with learning disabilities with training in various outdoor skills.

Established nearly 40 years ago, Horticap students receive practical training in garden maintenance, social skills, craft work and hospitality.

Horticap aims to immerse its students into society and provide them with skills that can be replicated at home and towards new career paths.

Phil Airey, assistant manager of Horticap, said:

“We are really excited to have been nominated for the inclusivity awards. Horticap was created to be an inclusive environment for all our students, staff and volunteers. We’re looking forward to the awards evening.”

The Stray Ferret Business Awards event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

Harrogate pensioner appeals for cash to fund ambulance for quake-hit Turkey

A Harrogate retiree is appealing for a rapid injection of funds to buy an ambulance that he will drive to earthquake-hit parts of Turkey.

John Shackleton, 84, has funded, bought and stocked 34 ambulances over the last three decades, and delivered them to 22 countries – as well as three fire engines and two minibuses.

Now he wants to buy another, but the only obstacle is money. He said:

“I was going to deliver the next ambulance to Moldova, but then the earthquake struck, so Turkey it is. So I’ve already raised £12,000 by chopping down trees and selling the logs, and I already have a garageful of medical supplies.

“I just need to quickly raise £6,000 to £8,000 more to buy the ambulance and we can go. It’s not complicated – it’s very simple. I could set off tomorrow if I had the cash.”

The Kahramanmaraş earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday, razing buildings across a wide area and trapping thousands in the rubble. The latest estimate is that at least 12,000 people have been killed. Teams of rescuers have flown in from many countries, but their efforts are being hampered by cold weather.

Mr Shackleton said:

“You can rest assured that when it all calms down, the ‘big boys’ will pull out, but our ambulance will still be there, doing its work.”

Mr Shackleton is currently waiting to find out from the Turkish Embassy if the Red Crescent charity will accept a right-hand-drive vehicle. If not, he will fly to Amsterdam, buy a left-hand-drive ambulance at auction – which he has done many times before – bring it to Harrogate to stock it, and drive it south.

Mr Shackleton was first moved to do humanitarian work when he saw news reports revealing the conditions in Romanian orphanages following the opening of its borders in 1990. He and a band of volunteers went there and installed flushing toilets and showers.

He said:

“There were thousands of youngsters in appalling conditions. It still haunts me.

“That was over 30 years ago, and now in 2023 there’ll be a lot of injured people in the earthquake zone who will need to be transported.

“I get the same feeling now that I did back then – it’s a compulsion to help. I’m fit and I’ve got the means to do it – so I have to. It’s very basic.”

Business Breakfast: Ripon engineering firm partners with The British Heart Foundation

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. Early bird tickets are available until February 9. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker.

Econ Engineering has launched a new charity partnership with The British Heart Foundation. The Ripon engineering firm makes more than eight out of 10 winter maintenance vehicles on UK roads.

The charity partnership will run throughout February – National Heart Month – until the end of 2023, with the aim to raise £20,000.

The money raised by Econ will help the BHF to fund research into heart and circulatory conditions such as coronary heart disease, strokes and vascular dementia.

Econ’s involvement with the charity stemmed from the death of one of the company’s managing directors, Andrew Lupton, who suffered a heart attack last year.

Andrew’s brother, Jonathan, who is now the sole managing director of the firm, said:

“We are proud to be partnering with the British Heart Foundation and are looking forward to supporting with its ongoing campaign to beat heartbreak forever”.

Employees will have the opportunity to participate in several BHF-supported health and wellbeing engagement activities, to ensure a healthier workforce.

Knaresborough shops encouraged to bring a floral look to the town

Knaresborough and District Chamber is urging shops to order hanging baskets to maintain the town’s floral look this summer.

The baskets are created by Harrogate Borough Council, which waters them twice a week.

For the last decade, the chamber has taken orders for baskets directly from shop keepers. It has subsidised the cost to members and charged non-members the price charged by the council.

But the council has set up an online payment system this year and the chamber is concerned it might lead to a lower take-up.

Chamber member and hairdresser, Kelly Teggin, who was in charge of basket sales last year, said:

“The town looks so lovely when it’s in full bloom. I fear if it’s left to the shop keepers, we may not see as many baskets, so we want to encourage it as much as possible.”

Further details are available here.

Hair & beauty salon, Kelly Teggin, displaying its hanging basket.

Business Breakfast: Cloud Nine develops its own photo studios

Global hair and beauty brand, Cloud Nine, has opened two new studios at its Harrogate headquarters, bringing all previously outsourced photo and video shoots in-house.

The beauty company says the aim of the new studio is to develop the creative, commercial and media skills of its team.

The hair and skin stylist area has mirrors and lights with different coloured walls to suit models with different skin tones. There’s also a Green Room designed for the models and guests to relax in before and after each shoot.

CEO Martin Rae, who launched the business with his brother, Gavin, in 2009, said:

“We have created our own studios for two very good reasons. The first is we have a fantastically talented team based within our Harrogate headquarters, who are eager to create their own campaigns, from inception through to execution”.

“And secondly, harnessing the artistic skills of our own people makes perfect business sense, and will benefit us commercially”.

Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

A lorry full of of medical equipment, blankets and warm clothing, supplied Knaresborough charity PhysioNet and the town’s Rotary Club, is due to arrive in Ukraine today.

The lorry left Knaresborough five days ago and has made its way to Zaporizhzhia in the South East of Ukraine.

Knaresborough Rotary President and Chairman of Physionet, David Kaye, said:

“This is the sixth PhysioNet consignment for Ukraine. The £6,000 transport costs have been paid for entirely by Rotary in Yorkshire”.

PhysioNet was founded in 2005 by Knaresborough Rotarian Peter Thompson.

It collects and refurbishes discarded mobility and physiotherapy equipment – including wheelchairs, Zimmer frames, crutches and walking sticks – and redistributes it for use by the disabled in developing countries.

PhysioNet and Rotary volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to load the lorry for Zaporizhzhia.

Pilates instructor in 18-hour marathon to help fight husband’s cancer

A Harrogate pilates instructor will embark on a personal mission later this month to strike back at the cancer that saw her husband rushed to A&E, fighting for his life.

Eugenie Keogh will hold a marathon 18-hour pilates session on Zoom from her studio at North Rigton, to raise awareness of the symptoms of leukaemia, a cancer of the blood which kills around 13 people every day in the UK.

“The early diagnosis of leukaemia remains elusive because the symptoms are often overlooked, and the disease only diagnosed when a person ends up at A&E department struggling for life,” she said.

Eugenie’s husband Stephen was rushed to Harrogate A&E last summer with a combination of classic leukaemia symptoms: shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, a skin rash, an ulcerated mouth, frequent nose bleeds and night sweats. The couple were left “completely traumatised” when the aggressive blood cancer Acute Myloid Leukaemia (AML) was diagnosed.

In the weeks before, Stephen had sought medical help about individual symptoms, but these had not been linked or resulted in a blood test.

Eugenie said: “This resulted in a late diagnosis for Stephen, which is why I am supporting the campaign to raise awareness among GPs about blood cancer symptoms. The earlier the disease is spotted, the better the chance of effective treatment, prognosis and quality of life.”

Stephen has responded well to the treatment regime for AML and is now awaiting a bone marrow stem-cell transplant.

“This is the only chance for me to achieve complete remission and hopefully a cure,” he said.

Eugenie Keogh is a qualified APPI instructor and operates one-to-one and Zoom online classes from her Body & Soul Pilates studio in North Rigton near Harrogate.

As well as raising awareness, Eugenie’s pilates marathon on Zoom on January 29 will also raise funds for Leukaemia UK, a charity that works to fund innovative research and support those affected by leukaemia blood cancers. Well-wishers can support her campaign at her Just Giving page.

Anyone making a donation will also be invited to keep Eugenie company by logging on at any time for any of the pilates sessions, which will start on the hour every hour from 6am, with the last session ending at midnight.

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Groups that will receive defibrillators

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Finalists

Artizan Café and Creative Space

Horticap

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Knaresborough shops encouraged to bring a floral look to the town

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Knaresborough business group supports Ukraine

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