A well-known figure in Harrogate’s cultural life has set herself a new challenge to support a cause close to her heart.
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, is aiming to complete the Great North Run to raise money for the Stroke Association.
She has chosen the charity after leading Harrogate businessman David Simister suffered a life-changing stroke in early March.
Having set a target of £1,500, she is already more than a third of the way there, just 24 hours after setting up her fundraising page – and said she hopes to raise even more before the event in September.
Sharon said:
“David is so well-loved. He was involved in so much and really cared about everything he worked on. Particularly over the pandemic, he was great with keeping the show on the road.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone with a bad word to say about him.”
After growing up in Harrogate and attending Ashville College, Mr Simister trained as a journalist before founding Different PR with former schoolmate Richard Chew.
As well as working with a number of high-profile clients, he was heavily involved with Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and became its chief executive in 2021. He has stepped back from his current roles as a result of his illness.
Sharon Canavar in green next to David Simister and the HIF team
Having done the Great North Run three times previously, Sharon said it will be emotional running for a close business connection and personal friend.
She has not run regularly since suffering an injury during the covid pandemic, and credits the Harrogate Town Running Group with getting her back to training to be ready for the Great North Run.
However, she has the small matter of HIF’s busiest few weeks of the year to get through first.
The summer season was launched at the weekend, with the flagship Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival scheduled for two weeks’ time.
This year’s events also include a children’s festival on July 15 and 16, and the Harrogate Carnival on July 30, which falls just six weeks before the run.
Sharon said:
“Running is quite good for stress relief. It’s good to get out and go for a stomp and work things through in my mind.
“David has been such a key part of my personal and festivals life, it’s really giving me the motivation to keep going and raise as much as possible to support him and other people affected by strokes.”
To support Sharon’s fundraising for the Stroke Association, click here.
Harrogate chamber chief executive David Simister seriously ill in hospitalDavid Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, is seriously ill in hospital.
The business organisation said on its website yesterday Mr Simister had suffered a “serious medical episode”.
It added:
“I am sure all our members, and friends in the wider business community of Harrogate will join us in wishing him and his family our thoughts and prayers for a positive outcome and want him to know that we will all be with him on his road to recovery.
“We are deeply saddened by the news and greatly miss David’s infectious enthusiasm and dedication.”
The message added the chamber’s management team led by president Sue Kramer and vice-presidents, Martin Mann, Sam Oakes and Jackie Snape would continue to support and represent chamber members.
Former journalist Mr Simister is well known in Harrogate. He co-founded the Harrogate communications firm Different PR and is a former councillor.
The Stray Ferret sends our best wishes to Mr Simister and hope for his speedy recovery.
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