Donations Archives - Page 2 of 2

Commercial Street shops unite to sweeten Christmas for struggling families

A “mountain” of chocolate will be collected by a group of independent businesses in Harrogate to ensure everyone has treats to enjoy this Christmas.

The Commercial Street Retailers group is inviting people to donate festive chocolates for three weeks, to hand over to Harrogate District Foodbank.

It is the second year the businesses have united to organise the scheme and Sue Kramer, who owns Crown Jewellers, said she hopes they will do even better than last year:

“Last year, we got over 16 stones of chocolate, so we donated them in three parcels over a few weeks. It was a mountain of chocolate!

“It was amazing: heartwarming, humbling and absolutely incredible. It’s a wonderful thing for people to do.

“This year, with everything else going on – the economic crisis, the cost of living etc – it’s a wonderful thing do to again.”

Any chocolates can be donated as long as they don’t contain alcohol. Ms Kramer said everything from large tubs and selection boxes to chocolate biscuits is very welcome.

Collection points will be open from Saturday, November 19 to Saturday, December 10, at five shops on Commercial Street: Foxy Vintage and Interiors, Harrogate Town AFC shop, White Rose Sewing, Curtain and Blind Design, and H Nail Club.

As an added incentive, anyone who donates chocolate by Saturday, December 2 will be given a raffle ticket, with five £10 vouchers on offer from the businesses on Commercial Street. Ms Kramer said the prizes would offer a helping hand to people shopping in the run-up to Christmas Eve.

Sue added:

“The foodbank get food donations, but they don’t get things like chocolate because it is seen as a luxury.

“I can’t bear to think of local families and particularly children not getting chocolate at Christmas. I really hope people will be generous again this year and make sure everyone has a treat to enjoy on Christmas Day.”

Knaresborough man appeals for help to bring Christmas cheer to Ukraine

It may still be the height of summer but a Knaresborough man is asking people to donate Christmas presents as he prepares to travel to Ukraine for the fifth time.

Bob Frendt, 71, has already made four trips with medical supplies and other aid since the country was invaded by Russia in February.

Now, he is hoping to bring a little cheer to families still stuck in the war-torn country in time for the festive season. The retired truck driver told the Stray Ferret:

“People have been so generous up to now so I could make the trips to get supplies where they were needed.

“I took an old tour coach over earlier in the year and it’s now being used as a triage unit. It’s great because it means they can put casualties in the beds and evacuate them.

“Apparently Kylie Minogue used the coach many years ago when she was on tour — and now look where it is.”

The former tour coach is now being used as a medical triage unit.

Donations have rolled in for his previous missions, with Medequip and Andway Healthcare both contributing medical equipment and other businesses giving cash to cover the cost of the trip.

As the cost of living crisis hits the UK, however, Mr Frendt said he is struggling to get enough donations to cover petrol, tax and insurance for his next six-day trip in October.

To make up the funds, he has been collecting prizes from local businesses to raffle off, and already has vouchers and hampers from several well-known firms including Bettys, Mother Shipton’s Cave, Goldsborough Hall and Harrogate Theatre.

The trip usually costs around £2,500 to complete – though rising costs are affecting this too. However, Mr Frendt is determined to do what he can for the volunteer army of citizens defending their country.

“The main aim this time is to take things for the kids. It will be the first Christmas for them since this began.

“I’m looking for toys particularly, but also old laptops and even solar panels and small power packs. They often have no electricity so they need ways to generate power and charge things up.

“They’re mechanics and butchers and bakers and street sweepers. They’ve been left on their own. The civilians are being looked after by all the usual aid agencies, but these guys have been left to fend for themselves.

“When I first got involved, I was talking to the commander of 204 Squadron and he said ‘we’re desperate for medical stuff’. They were using upside down brooms for crutches and people were sleeping on cardboard boxes.

“It could reduce you to tears, some of the things I’ve seen.”

To donate to Mr Frendt’s fundraising or contribute something for his next trip in early October, click here to send him an email.

Two senior promotions at Harrogate law firm Raworths

Harrogate law firm Raworths has announced two senior promotions in its commercial team.

Jon Healey, who leads the corporate and commercial team, has been promoted to partner of the firm.

Matthew Hill has been made head of commercial client services, after Simon Morris became managing partner in April. Mr Hill will also continue in his role as head of dispute resolution.

He said:

“Raworths’ commercial team has considerable breadth and our clients benefit from a genuinely collaborative approach.

“I am looking forward to continuing Simon’s great work in overseeing the delivery of outstanding client service”

He also congratulated Mr Healey on his promotion, adding:

“Since joining Raworths in 2019 his expertise and leadership have been invaluable to our clients and the wider team.”

Raworths has been based in Harrogate for over 125 years.

Samaritans of Harrogate calls for donations from local businesses

Samaritans of Harrogate has called for local businesses to donate prizes for its upcoming charity golf day.

The event, on June 24, will be the charity’s first golf day since 2019 due to covid.

It has asked local businesses to donate prizes in sets of four, such as hampers and food vouchers. They will be awarded to the winning golf teams or used to make up the raffle.

Fundraising co-ordinator Carol Chapman said:

“The involvement of local businesses would help us to raise vital and much needed funds to keep this service running, which is run solely by local volunteers.

“We are extremely grateful for any donations from local businesses that help us achieve this.”

Members of the public can enter as teams of four for the golf competition, with five places left to fill.

The event will begin at 1:30pm at Harrogate Golf Club and will continue into the evening, with raffle prizes being announced at the clubhouse.

In 2019, the golf day raised almost £6,000 for the charity, which contributed to the £35,000 a year needed to keep the charity running.

Samaritans offers a confidential phone service for people feeling distressed or who are struggling with their mental health.

The Harrogate branch has around 120 volunteers who listen and offer advice to callers, as well as helping with fundraising events.

District businesses donate to Ukraine aid convoy

Businesses from across the Harrogate district have shown their support for Ukraine by donating dozens of pallets of supplies.

Neom Organics has given shower gel, soap and hand sanitiser, while Taylors of Harrogate has contributed supplies of tea and coffee.

Children’s shop Milk and Honey donated thousands of pounds’ worth of clothes, from wellies and hats to summer clothes. Other donations have included bottled water and fizzy drinks.

The supplies are being sent to Global Empowerment Mission, which is distributing them to refugee camps as well as communities in Ukraine.

Organiser Whitney Vauvelle said:

“It has been an incredible effort from the Harrogate and Yorkshire community. It really speaks highly of the bread and butter of what this community is about.

“People are going numb on this and we can’t let that happen. Supply chains are severely disrupted into Ukraine so we have to keep donating and sending trucks over.”

A final collection will be held at White Horse Machinery (WHM) on Hornbeam Park on Wednesday, May 18, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, when businesses and individuals can make contributions.

Donations of non-perishable foods are needed, along with clothing including shoes, new underwear, new and like-new trainers, and sportswear for children.

For more information, call Ms Vauvelle on 07860 922600.

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Home care company expands from Harrogate base

A home care company founded in Harrogate in 2018 is expanding to a satellite office in West Yorkshire.

West Park Care will cover Ilkley, Burley in Wharefedale, Guiseley, Menston, Yeadon and surrounding areas from its new office at Wharfe Bank Mills in Otley.

Founder Tom Page said:

“We’ve got through the pandemic which has been a slog to say the least. We’ve come out of that relatively unscathed and now we’re looking to expand.”

The company offers domiciliary care to private clients in their own homes, and now has 30 staff and 44 clients on its books.

Mr Page said its point of difference was not using zero-hours contracts and paying above minimum wage, which helped it to keep staff turnover low.

Funeral celebrates life of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw

Family and friends of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw celebrated his life at a funeral in Bilton this morning.

A procession led by motorbikes, including some Harley-Davidsons, set off from the family home on Woodfield Road and arrived at St John’s and St Luke’s Church for the 11am service.

The service was broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page and can still be viewed there.

A wake was held afterwards at The Empress on the Stray.

Aaron Bertenshaw died suddenly last month.

Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died suddenly aged 26 last month. He had struggled with diabetes and mental health issues.

Sammy Oates, Aaron’s mother, set up a fundraising page to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems. That fundraiser is currently on £6,910.

The family said donations at the service would go to Diabetes UK and CALM, the campaign against living miserably.

Ms Oates is now campaigning for extra support for those who struggle with diabetes and mental health. She told the Stray Ferret previously:

“Aaron touched a lot of lives. He was only 26 but packed a lot in. He also worked as a barber and played rugby for Otley when he was young.

“He was such a bright shining star and an absolute social butterfly. Everyone knew him and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.

“What I remember most is his smile. He had the most infectious smile. There was always a twinkle in the eyes.”

Harrogate hospital charity seeks Christmas hamper donations

Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity is asking for donations for its Christmas hamper campaign.

Last year the charity provided over 1,000 hampers to families and children in need in North Yorkshire, County Durham, Gateshead and Sunderland.

This year it hopes to spread even more festive cheer by sending 1,200 hampers.

It is asking businesses to donate non-perishable foods, drinks, new books or other festive goodies to fill up the hampers.

Yvonne Campbell, head of charity and business development project manager at the charity, said

“Last year we had wonderful feedback from those who received our festive hampers, and after another difficult year we would like to impart the same magical feeling to those who are vulnerable or in need across the Harrogate and District Foundation Trust footprint.

“Any support will make a huge impact to those in need this winter.”

HHCC is the charity for Harrogate District Hospital and community health services. It raises funds to help patients and their families, fund specialist equipment, training and services. It also raises funds for individual departments and services.

To offer hamper donations, email hdft.hhcc@nhs.net before October 28.

Fifty tonnes of food support donated by Ripon community

A Ripon organisation is able to reflect on a remarkable response to the coronavirus crisis.

With the anniversary of the UK’s first covid lockdown looming, Food Support has been able to measure the weight of the city’s reaction.

The service, located at Community House in Allhallowgate, has received more than 50 tonnes of donations since last March.

This has enabled Suzanne Bowyer, her colleague Caroline King and an army of volunteers, to help families and individuals.

Assistance is provided to people living in Ripon, Boroughbridge and surrounding areas.

Suzanne Bowyer, who says support from the Ripon community has been incredible

Suzanne, told the Stray Ferret:

“The response from individuals, supermarkets, other shops and businesses, has been incredible.

“We have received donations of fresh, packaged and tinned food, beverages and items such as nappies.

“Volunteers have also donated their time.

“This has provided a lifeline for people affected by the pandemic.”

Food Support, works with partner organisations ranging from the NHS and Harrogate Borough Council to doctors’ surgeries and the Salvation Army, who make referrals.

For some, the help will be temporary as they wait for Universal Credit, while others may have a longer-term need.

Suzanne, pointed out:

“We provide a totally discreet and confidential service designed for anybody needing a helping hand.

“People should feel no shame in seeking help to feed themselves or their family in these difficult times, caused by circumstances outside their control.”

Numerous churches, groups, individuals, businesses and organisations continue to rally to the call by providing practical assistance.

Food Support has continued throughout the crisis. Donations that arrive at Community House in Allhallowgate are weighed on industrial scales.

More crunch times lie ahead, with school summer holidays, the end of furlough, mortgage holidays and emergency rights preventing tenants from being evicted.

Further details are available at: www.riponcommunityhouse.co.uk

District charity shops ‘overwhelmed’ with donations

District charity shops have been overwhelmed with donations from the public, with some having to put an appointment system in place with a three-week wait.

As charity shops have reopened, people have flocked to donation spots, leading the shops to bring in new measures.

Some Oxfam shops have had to introduce appointment slots but, due to high demand, some customers are having to wait to make their donations.

The Oxfam Bookshop in Harrogate remains open for donations during opening hours without an appointment slot.

Walter de Buck, North Yorkshire area manager for Oxfam, said:

“We have three months’ worth of stock coming at once and we have to quarantine it. We are working with lower staffing levels, more donations and some donors are waiting three weeks for an appointment in some shops. We don’t like to say ‘can you bring it another time’ because we need the money these donations bring.

“We have had days with 200-300 bags coming into some shops which causes challenges. We understand it’s not ideal to be told to wait but we’ve not had to do it before. Some donors have been angry or disappointed, but it’s measures that we have to take seriously to ensure the safety of our volunteers.”

Saint Michael’s Hospice has seen huge numbers of donations.

Meanwhile, Saint Michael’s Hospice has had to stop any donations from the public. The drop-off facility will remain closed for 12 days to sort through the high volume of bags it has received.

The chief executive of Saint Michael’s Hospice, Tony Collins, said:

“Over the last 4 weeks we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and the huge number of donations received. With items arriving faster than we could distribute them, we had to pause temporarily. Our donation drop-off point will reopen at 10am Monday, August 17.

“The planned launch of booking slots will allow us to continue to take receipt of shop donations from August 17 onwards, whilst adhering to the strictest Covid-19 guidelines for the safety of everyone.”

Harrogate charity receives huge amount of donations

Saint Michaels Hospice has seen a huge number of donations since opening its temporary drop off point in Harrogate this weekend.

This comes as 6 of its charity shops across the district reopened on Saturday, including 4 in Harrogate as well as its Knaresborough and Ripon branches.

In order to ensure that all donations are quarantined for 72 hours, customers are being asked to donate their items to the drop off point on Hookstone Wood Road rather than at the individual shop.

Since Saturday the charity has seen huge numbers of donations.

Chief Executive of Saint Michaels Hospice, Tony Collins, said:

“We are delighted that we are able to begin opening the doors of our wonderful shops…we are thankful that so many local people have been keeping their donations safe at home for us. In order to manage the required quarantine of goods to the highest possible of standards; we have centralised the receipt of donations for the safety of everyone.”

Since Saturday, the charity has seen an overwhelming amount of donations and expects to see many more in the coming weeks. The Saint Michaels Hospice Donation Drop Off Point is open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm.

More charity shops re-open across the Harrogate district

Further charities with shops in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon have reopened their doors this week.

In Ripon, where nine different charities have retail outlets, The Salvation Army has reopened after being shut since March 23.

The Cancer Research UK shop, located on Market Place, is also back trading in the city, while its shops in Knaresborough Market Place and Oxford Street, Harrogate, have also reopened.

The reopenings follow news reported in The Stray Ferret of last week’s opening of St Vincent’s on Knaresborough High Street, which raises money to support the community work of the St Vincent de Paul charity.

Victoria Smith, manager of Ripon’s Salvation Army shop, told The Stray Ferret:

“We have introduced strict social distancing and hand hygiene arrangements and have also fitted a perspex screen at our counter. Just six people at a time are allowed in.”

Victoria added:

“It has felt like a long time since we had to go into lockdown and we look forward to welcoming back our customers and the people who have supported us in the past through the donation of items for sale.”

The Salvation Army, which has more than 400 shops across the country, is a pioneer, having opened its first shops in the 19th century to provide affordable clothing to people who otherwise could not afford them.

Cancer Research UK is a research and awareness charity formed in February 2002 through the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund.

The charity has 600 shops in the UK and Isle of Man and money raised through them is used to support its aim of reducing the number of cancer deaths.

Di Illingworth, who manages the Cancer Research UK Ripon shop (pictured above), said: “We are so pleased to be back. All charities rely heavily on the money raised through their retail outlets.”