Ripon’s Oxfam shop is reopening for the first time in more than a year today.

The charity’s premises on Fishergate has been shut since the first covid lockdown last March.

Walter de Buck, area manager for Oxfam’s retail outlets in North and East Yorkshire, told the Stray Ferret:

“It has been frustrating being closed for this extended period of time. We are pleased to be reopening in Ripon and thank our supporters for their patience.”

Doors will open at 9am.

Newly appointed shop manager Arlene O’Hara said:

“We are raring to go and excited that the day has finally come.”

Ready to reopen – Victoria Smith, manager of The Salvation Army shop

Among her tasks will be to recruit a team of volunteers willing to lend a hand.

Mr de Buck explained:

“The principal reason for being closed for so long is because many of the volunteers we rely upon have been shielding during the pandemic.”

Anybody considering volunteering can email oxfamshopf0620@oxfam.org.uk or call 01765 601441.

Also on Fishergate, Victoria Smith, manager of The Salvation Army charity shop, has been putting the finishing touches to her window displays.

She said:

“We have received 1.5 tonnes of spring and summer clothing and have been putting selected goods out on the rails in readiness for reopening.”

The donated items have come from clothing banks in and around Ripon and the surrounding area.

Following the pre-Christmas opening of the Martin House store, the city now has 10 charity shops.

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Each plays a role in raising much-needed funds for causes ranging from end-of-life care for children and adults to supporting disabled people and the treatment of animals.

A Harley Street surgeon has offered a Harrogate mother breast reduction surgery for free if the money she raised goes to charity.

Kelly Michaud, from Harrogate, started fundraising for her breast reduction surgery last month after suffering with back and shoulder pain for years.

The 26 year old mother has 34H breasts. She has received unwanted attention from a young age and had to change several outfits to avoid “showing them off”.

After years of being rejected surgery on the NHS she decided, as a last resort, to go private.

To date Kelly has raised over £10,000 for the surgery after several media outlets, local and national, covered the story.

Since then, Dr Dan Marsh from a private Harley Street clinic has offered to complete the surgery for free with the money raised going to breast cancer charity.

A BBC article added that Mrs Michaud will be paying for some appointment and hospital fees totalling £2,500. The free operation is set to go ahead in September.

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• Harrogate Neighbours fundraise for Alzheimer’s charity.
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Previously Mrs Michaud said the reduction would change her life in so many ways and allow her to play with her children without feeling pain.

She is also hoping to raise awareness on the issue and has started a petition for breast reductions to be more accessible to women.

Friends and celebrities have rallied round to raise £40,000 in a matter of days to help a young Harrogate man fund life-saving medical treatment.

In April last year, James Hindmarsh was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. Friends and family assured him they’d stand by him all the way.

Since then James, 24, has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

However, this NHS treatment has not worked, which has spurred friends of James, who attended Ashville College, to start fundraising to pay for private treatment abroad.

Six of his best friends have pledged to complete a number of challenges, including running three marathons in three days, the Yorkshire three peaks and a ski tour. To donate click here.

James with best friend Henry Bartle (left) and his mum and brother (right).

James’ work colleagues at financial services company the DSG Group have set up a Justgiving page, bringing the overall total raised so far to more than £40,000.

James’ cancer is particularly rare in young adults and finding a clinic that can help is proving difficult. However James and those around him are determined to keep going.

James is not currently receiving any treatment and is suffering physically but continues to stay mentally strong.

One of James’ best friends, Henry Bartle, who has known him since the pair went to primary school in Cundall, said:

“James is very, very funny. He’s just an all-round amazing guy. He’s been putting on a very brave face for the past year and just takes each day as it comes.

“He’s currently fighting each day and we want to give him the best chance of living.”

Read more:

• Harrogate driving instructors walk 1.3 million steps to raise money for local charity.
• Charity Corner: Making ‘Time Together’ the priority. 

The fundraising pages were only set up days ago and has generated a rapid response. A number of celebrities, including former football manager Harry Redknapp and journalist Piers Morgan have shared the fundraising page on social media or reached out to help.

Henry added:

“It’s just gone crazy, we never expected this.”

Care charity Harrogate Neighbours has hosted a walk and talk memory walk to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Tenants, staff, relatives and friends of Harrogate Neighbours, which provides housing and meals for older people, took part in the walk on Saturday.

The walkers, who ranged in age from 18 months to 95 years, completed a combined 36 miles by performing 144 laps of The Cuttings, which is an extra care housing scheme run by Harrogate Neighbours.

Nearly half of Harrogate Neighbours’ tenants and residents live with Alzheimer’s, which is why the event was held in support of Alzheimer’s Society.

The walk encouraged those suffering with social isolation to talk to others.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said:

“We’ve only recently been allowed to welcome children outdoors on site, so it was wonderful to see the smiles and interaction of the tenants.

“Running an event like this is a great way to support not only a charity close to all of our hearts, but the wellbeing of our residents, tenants and staff by bringing everyone together to walk and talk in a covid-safe way.”

The group reached 36 miles on Saturday and ranged in age from 18 months to 95 years.

Further donations are expected to come in this week. To support the organisation click here.

Read more:

• Charity Corner: Making ‘Time Together’ the priority 
• A Harrogate Apple repair shop has refurbished 60 iPads for local school children

A Harrogate mother has crowdfunded money for breast reduction surgery after “suffering for years”.

Kelly Michaud only set up set a gofundme page five days ago and has since raised over £10,000.

Her aim was to raise the sum for private surgery but, after surpassing her target, she wants to use the extra cash to help campaign for breast reduction surgery to be more accessible.

Kelly’s fundraising page has gathered so much attention she has started working with an agency to handle all the media requests.

Ms Michaud, 26, only weighs 10 stone but has size 34H breasts, which have caused back and shoulder pain. Her bra has caused sores around her breasts.

She has received unwanted attention from a young age and had to change several outfits to avoid “showing them off”.

After years of being refused surgery on the NHS, and losing almost two stone in an effort to reduce the size of her breasts, she decided as a last resort to go private.

Ms Michaud says she can’t wait to have the operation, adding “It is going to have a huge impact on my life”.

She said she has been “blown away” by the response, not only by the amount raised but also by the number of women who have come forward with similar stories.

She said:

“I didn’t expect this, I didn’t think I would raise anything. It’s also helped to raise awareness for others, I want to help other women. I don’t think people understand the impact.”

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Ms Michaud hopes to reduce to a DD cup size but has yet to have a consultation. She says the reduction would change her life in so many ways and allow her to play with her children without feeling pain.

She added:

“I have also set up a petition to campaign for breast reductions to be more accessible.

“I understand getting it fully on the NHS might not work but even just some financial support to cover it would help lots of women.”

A Harrogate prep school has launched a charity book to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support after one of its students completed his cancer treatment.

Highfield Prep School wanted to celebrate head boy Ralph Tasker’s end of treatment whilst raising money for the charity.

The Highfield Joke Book is packed full of jokes written by the pupils covering everything from food to animals.

Channel 4 presenter Sandi Toksvig, star of the Great British Bake Off and QI, loved the idea of the book and wrote a humorous foreword. She said:

“People have always had it in common that we could do with a laugh. I think a day without laughter is like a day without biscuits.

“It’s also a double whammy of a winner because not only will it do you good, it will also raise money for Macmillan so even people who haven’t read it will feel better. How marvellous. Well done”.

Read more:

• Two boys from Boroughbridge were fed up of seeing litter on their streets so decided to do something about it.
• Harrogate teenager raises money for her wild Canadian adventure.

The pupils have already raised £2,000 for Macmillan through fundraising events held last term on ‘Ralph Day’. They now hope they can boost this will the sale of the joke book.

The book will be on sale within the school for £5, with at least £4 from each copy going to Macmillan.

A teenager from Harrogate is raising £3000 for the British Exploring Society so she can go on a three week expedition to the Canadian Yukon.

Ellie Bestington has a passion for the natural world and hopes to one day to find a career that helps protect it.

Not only will this trip push her out of her comfort zone, mentally and physically, Ellie will also be working side-by-side with experts.

The Canadian Yukon is a wild territory in northwest Canada. The 17 year old will be hiking up mountains, sleeping in a tent and digging her own toilet!

Ellie is hoping to get valuable experience from this educational trip and will be making media projects as she goes.

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Ellie has to cover the costs of her flights and kit. The £3000 is money for the British Exploring Society to continue offering these trips for young people.

Ellie said:

“I wanted to push myself in a harsh environment, it’ll be good to see how I may be tested. I will be learning and helping experts understand more about the area. In the future I want to help find ways to manage climate change but I need to know how and why it’s happened first so I want to fully immerse myself.”

Ellie with her dad, Simon, enjoying one of their favourite hobbies together, walking.

To help raise the funds Ellie and her dad, Simon Bestington, will attempt the three Yorkshire Peaks in the summer wearing pink tutus. Ellie is determined to get to Canada and says her dad will do all he can to help her raise the money, even if it does mean a pink tutu is involved.

The British Exploring Society is a youth development charity which offers young people the opportunity to challenge themselves in new environments.

To support Ellie’s fundraiser, click here.

Unpaid carers will be given extra support through the continuing coronavirus crisis thanks to fundraising by a Harrogate group.

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club has donated £1,500 to the Carers’ Resource Covid-19 Emergency Fund after completing a virtual ascent of Everest in the summer.

The fund was set up to help unpaid carers facing unexpected challenges during the pandemic, such as replacing broken white goods or paying for emergency heating repairs. After appealing for help, Carers’ Resource was chosen to receive the proceeds of the Rotarians’ efforts.

Rotarian Mike Hammond said:

“During the Covid-19 crisis, Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club have been working hard to help charities that have suffered a huge loss of income. Our members have dug deep into their own pockets to supplement our charity account, but much more is needed.

“We are delighted to be able to support Carers’ Resource in this way and we appreciate the work that the charity does.”

Carers’ Resource said the needs of people being cared for by unpaid relatives, friends or neighbours have increased during the pandemic.

Read more:

• Harrogate family hit by childhood cancer urges charity support
• £100,000 emergency charity appeal launched

In September 2020, Carers Trust ran a major survey of unpaid carers across the UK. The results showed that:

• only 12% of unpaid carers agree they receive enough support from social care
• the proportion of unpaid carers providing 50 hours care or more per week for a family member has almost tripled to 64%, compared to 23% in the 2011 census
• 54% of carers have given up, or reduced, paid work because of caring responsibilities
• one in six (16%) reported that lockdowns and closure of local services have forced them into caring for an additional 40 hours or more per week.

Over the last few weeks, Carers’ Resource has launched an advice line for carers to access help, advice and information, as well as continuing to see carers face-to-face in line with covid-safe guidance. Well-being and confidence-building sessions have continued, along with online yoga, quizzes and coffee mornings to combat loneliness and isolation.

Carers’ Resource community fundraiser Claire Macina said:

“The way that the Brigantes threw themselves into raising funds has been amazing.

“Unpaid carers have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic and we frequently get requests for support. At Carers’ Resource we can offer advice and information and we can also support with financial assistance too if need.”

Local charities

The donation to Carers’ Resource was just part of the Brigantes’ efforts this year, which have seen £8,600 raised to give out to good causes. As well as sending £2,200 to Shelterbox for disaster relief efforts and the Rotary Club of Himalayan Gurkhas in Kathmandu to combat the impact of the covid-19 pandemic in Nepal, the group has contributed more than £6,000 to local charities and people in need.

Among those receiving support are Wellspring Therapy, Harrogate Easier Living Project, Supporting Older People, Horticap, Parkinsons UK, Dementia Forward and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Meanwhile, although its usual Santa’s Grotto in Asda, Harrogate, has not been possible this year, the supermarket is working with Rotarians to put together Christmas packages for clients of the charities the group supports. Brigantes president David Hayes said:

“All this is possible only through the generosity of those who have supported our fund-raising efforts and helped us to give away some £18,000 for Covid relief since the start of the pandemic. I should like to say a very big thank you to them all: members of the public who have supported our new ventures such as the Lockdown Poetry Competition and our virtual trek up Everest; visitors to the Valley Gardens who have given at the Wishing Well; Club members who have made donations including those in lieu of what they would have spent on club meetings and meals; and the families and friends of members.”

For more information about Carers’ Resource, click here or call 0808 591 5939. To find out about Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club and how to become a member, click here.

A £35,000 fundraising campaign is underway to install a lift for people with disabilities at the Pateley Playhouse.

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society, which is based at the theatre, is coordinating efforts to raise the sum.

The society said it is eligible for a £15,000 grant and hopes to raise the additional £20,000 via a crowdfunding page.

Renovating the historic 1930s Playhouse will be a complex project but the society has said the character of the building will remain intact.

Currently the first floor auditorium is only accessible via two steep staircases and a lift is required to comply with building regulations regarding disabled access.

The lower floor, which includes the bar, foyer and actors’ changing rooms will be re-arranged to accommodate the lift. Depending on funding, work is scheduled to start early 2021.

The Playhouse can seat up to 73 spectators but is currently closed due to the pandemic.

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The society said it hoped that undertaking renovations during this period of covid-enforced closure would enable it to hit the ground running when it reopens next year.

Eileen Burgess, one of the founding members of The Playhouse in 1968, said:

“The Playhouse is such an important part of the community in Nidderdale and these renovations will make it even more inclusive for all members of the public.

“I can think of no better time to make these upgrades in the current circumstances and I hope the public will be enthused to pull together and raise the funds needed to start the process as soon as possible.”

To support the fundraising effort, click here.

The coronavirus pandemic has badly affected the Guide Dog’s programme to train new dogs and the charity’s ability to raise money.

So the fundraising group of the Harrogate branch has combined with 400 other groups to support the ’12 Guide Dogs of Christmas’ event.

From today to December 12 the Guide Dogs charity will showcase a different dog online each day. The aim of the event is to fund twelve new life-changing guide dogs for those in the waiting list across the UK.

Within Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough there are five guide dog owners with a further four people waiting for their special companion. Funds raised from activities such as these go towards dog training.

In 2016 Kate Hammond, from Harrogate, was matched with her guide dog Sheba. She says the support from Guide Dogs and its local branches has meant her and Sheba “bonded very quickly”.

She said:

“Four and a half years ago I hardly ever left my home because my confidence had been shattered by my rapidly deteriorating vision.

“Then I was matched with Sheba. She has been an absolute life changer! Sheba quickly learnt my usual routes and we go for long walks every day with Sheba moving me out of the way of obstructions such as low hanging branches, wheelie bins and even puddles.

“Sheba has given me my independence back and with it a much, much happier life. I am eternally grateful to the Guide Dogs Charity for matching us together.”

This Christmas fundraiser will support owners across the UK.

During the pandemic, the Harrogate branch has adapted its services using online platforms to support its users. It says the pandemic will have a knock-on effect. It’s meant some people have to wait longer to get the right dog for them.

Nicola Ridgway, fundraising relationship manager for the Harrogate area, said:

“Fundraising groups have been unable to carry out the thousands of collections planned across the UK which could equate to a loss of £870,000 in 2020. That is why campaigns like our 12 Guide Dogs of Christmas which we are launching on the 1st December are so important to us right now and we are very grateful for any support people feel able to give to this.”

To support the appeal, click here.