Golfers from clubs across the Harrogate district and beyond will converge on Rudding Park next month for special annual event organised by the area’s governing body.
The Meet the President event held by the Harrogate & District Union of Golf Clubs (HDUGC) will see 120 golfers take on Rudding Park’s Hawtree Golf Course – the home course of 2024’s president Phil Kitching – before more than 150 guests attend an evening event at the Rudding Park Hotel.
Founded in 1943, the HDUGC spans 13 golf clubs, spanning Otley and Ilkley up to Bedale, and Thirsk and Northallerton, as well as all the clubs in Harrogate and Knaresborough, and represents more than 9,000 members at a local, county and national level.
Attendees at the event on Friday, April 26 will include the captains and lady captains of all 13 HDUGC clubs, as well as officials from five other Yorkshire inter-district unions.
Matt Wharldall, of Rudding Park Golf Club, said:
“The HDUGC runs 44 events throughout the year, and this one is the only one that is by invitation only.
“This year’s Meet the President event promises to be the best yet. As well as the usual breakfast, golf, barbecue and President’s speech, this year we’ll be holding an auction and raffle to raise funds for junior golf.”
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Knaresborough hero Bruce Reid seeks help for son
A Knaresborough man who has devoted much of his life to helping others is now appealing for help to get vital medical treatment for his son.
Retired firefighter Bruce Reid is best known in the town for organising free Christmas Day meals for up to 100 people. But he has also raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years for a host of other good causes in North Yorkshire.
His son Andrew, 32, underwent surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. The operation successfully removed 80% of the tumour but it continues to grow and the family has set up a gofundmepage to pay for treatment abroad as nothing suitable is available in the UK.
Bruce, who was made an MBE in 2015 for services to the Fire Fighters Charity and the community, said:
“Surgery is no longer an option but there are some potential treatments abroad and this is the reason we need to raise as much as we can to make this possible to access.”
Bruce, along with son Andrew, daughter Amanda Glennon and nephew Callum Reid, are training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon on April 7.
The fundraising target is currently £10,000 but the actual sum needed is likely to be several times higher. However, because the family is still unclear what treatment is required, or the sum, they are just trying to raise as much as they can for now.
Bruce appealed for help at this week’s Knaresborough & District Chamber AGM and said he hoped to arrange fundraising events in Knaresborough after the half marathon to continue generating income. Members agreed to do all they could to support him.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret afterwards, he said:
“We don’t know how much we will need yet. We are gearing ourselves up. All many pledged will be spent purely on treatment for Andrew.”
You can donate to the cause here.
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Son of Leeds United legend raises funds to beat his own cancer
A father-of-five from Harrogate has launched a campaign to raise funds for his own medical treatment after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Stuart Gray, whose father is Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, has stage four cholangiocarcinoma – a cancer that forms in the bile ducts. He has been told that by the time this cancer begins to show symptoms, it is usually too advanced for surgery, which is currently the only known cure.
Complicating the situation, he has also been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease with no known cure, which doctors believe was a likely contributing factor in the development of the cancer.
Writing on the GoFundMe page set up by his brother Nick, Stuart said:
“The severity of my illness means that doctors expect my life expectancy to be significantly reduced. However, treatments are available for the cholangiocarcinoma that can prolong life expectancy, and in some rare cases even cure this terrible disease, and I am determined to do everything I can to fight it with everything I have.”
By Friday afternoon – just a few days after launch – Stuart, 49, had already raised over £30,000 of his £100,000 goal.
In an update posted today, Stuart said:
“To all the people who have donated and sent messages and good wishes, I want to say how deeply thankful I am to each and every one of you. It means the world to me and my family to see the support we have. Love Stuart x”
Some of the treatments for Stuart’s illness are widely available on the NHS, but some of the newer and more experimental treatments are less readily available and very costly.
In addition, Stuart’s treatment could include biopsies and testing, CT, MRI scans and X-rays, the fitting of stents to relieve pain, alternative wellbeing therapies, and travel and accommodation costs when seeing consultants in London or abroad.
Stuart said:
“Unfortunately, time is not on my side, and to wait for approval of these various experimental treatments, and then for the treatments to be administered by the NHS, will likely take years. Accessing these drugs and treatments privately is costly and can be difficult.
“My family and I will be posting regular updates along the way and will be partaking in various fundraising efforts to help pay for any treatment that may be needed in the coming months and, God willing, years.
“Any help or support you can offer during this process would be appreciated more than you will ever know.”
Stuart will also donate a percentage of the funds raised to AMMF, the cholangiocarcinoma charity. He added:
“If/when treatment is no longer needed, for whatever reason, all of the surplus funds will also go to the AMMF.”
Like his father and his famous uncle, Frankie Gray, Stuart is also a former footballer, having played for various clubs including Celtic and Reading, as well as making seven appearance for Scotland at under-21 level.
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Harrogate woman with incurable cancer raises charity funds with crystal art
A Harrogate woman has been creating crystal art to raise funds for a local cancer charity after being diagnosed with the disease.
Paula Grainger, 79, discovered she had ovarian cancer in 2019. Since then she has been “giving something back” to Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research by selling her artwork at community events.
She said:
“I came across Yorkshire Cancer Research, and I didn’t realise that there was a regional cancer charity, so I thought ‘right, what can I do to help?’. I’ve always liked crafts, so I started producing some artwork to sell and donating the profits to the charity.”
Paula creates crystal art by placing crystals onto a canvas and sells it at events such as Bilton Cricket Club’s party of the pitch. She said:
“I’ve always made cards and other bits, but when I started doing crystal art, I just loved it. It’s really satisfying and once it’s finished it shimmers and shines.
“I live with my eldest daughter and her family, and I’ve almost taken over with all my craft supplies and artwork. They’ve given me half of the garage to store everything.”
Paula first visited her doctor after she noticed that she’d lost weight and was having trouble eating.
She was referred for further tests at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, Paula was told that her cancer was incurable.
Paula Grainger
She said:
“I didn’t go to the doctors immediately when I started feeling unwell. I meet up with a group of friends once a week and they gave me a push to make the appointment to speak to my doctor. It was such a shock when the diagnosis came through.
“That’s something I’d want to get across to people, it feels daunting but it’s so important to go and speak to your doctor if you have anything you’re concerned about so you can catch the cancer early.”
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Paula had chemotherapy and after two years of monitoring, was given a second round in 2021. She now takes medication to prevent the cancer from spreading. She said:
“It’s been a difficult journey, especially when your mind is constantly thinking about the cancer, but I’m pleased with where I am now.”
Yorkshire Cancer Research funds research to tackle cancer in the region.
Mum-of-three Paula said:
Ripley walk to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s this weekend“It was important to me to raise funds for a local charity. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds research in Leeds, where I was treated, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to help support the people who had supported me.
“I’m not doing it for people like me, I’m doing it for people like my daughters and my grandchildren, and everybody else who may be affected by cancer in the future and can benefit from developments in cancer research.
“When you think about the developments that have been made even in the past 10 years, it’s incredible. My mum and grandmother both passed away from cancer, and it was a very different prognosis then than it is now.”
More than 140 walkers have already signed up to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK this Sunday but the charity is still urging people to join them for a sponsored walk around Ripley.
Walk for Parkinson’s is the charity’s national community fundraising series, and everyone is encouraged to get involved to get active, meet new people, and help fund life-changing research to find better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s.
The Walk for Parkinson’s event will follow two paths around Ripley which walkers can choose from: a five-and-a-half mile route and a shorter, family-friendly, one-mile route which is fully accessible. All walkers will warm up and set off together as they start and finish at Ripley Star Club.
One of the many families to have taken part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.
Jacquie McGuire, regional fundraiser for Yorkshire and Humber at Parkinson’s UK, said:
“Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In Yorkshire there are 12,280 people living with the condition. Every hour, two more people in the UK are diagnosed, meaning one in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime.
“There’s no cure for Parkinson’s. Yet. But if we walk together, we can make a difference to the lives of people with Parkinson’s. We can make breakthroughs. We can find a cure.
“Whatever your age or fitness level, we’d love to see you at Ripley near Harrogate to Walk for Parkinson’s. Take the first step and sign up today.”
Parkinson’s is the result of the brain cells that make dopamine starting to die. There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremors and pain to anxiety, and some are treatable, but the drugs can have serious side effects. The condition gets worse over time and there is no cure yet. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s.
Walkers warming up before taking part in a Walk for Parkinson’s.
It costs £12 to sign up to Walk for Parkinson’s (under-18s go free) and it is suggested that participants raise £50 in sponsorship. All walkers will receive a fundraising pack with tips and advice, sponsorship forms and an exclusive Walk for Parkinson’s t-shirt to wear on the day.
As well as walkers, the charity is on the look-out for volunteers to help on the day. To find out more about Walk for Parkinson’s and to sign up to walk or volunteer visit the Parkinson’s UK website or email walk@parkinsons.org.uk.
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Fire station open day set to draw crowds in Harrogate
Harrogate Fire Station will welcome members of the public to its popular annual open day next weekend.
The Skipton Road site will open its doors on Sunday, September 3 from 10am until 3pm.
Visitors will be able to see a variety of fire engines, including some demonstrations and interaction, and speak to members of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Children will have the chance to pretend to be a firefighter, as well as learning basic first aid from St John Ambulance.
North Yorkshire Police, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue and the Red Cross will also be represented, along with some police vehicles on site too.
The open day is free, though there is a charge for some of the activities.
A bouncy castle, refreshments and a raffle will all be held, and donations can also be made to the Fire Fighters Charity.
Visitors get to know the emergency services at last year’s open day
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Harrogate boy, 9, walks 200 miles for Ataxia UK
A nine-year-old Harrogate boy is walking 200 miles, inspired by his dad who has Friedrich’s ataxia.
He aims to raise money for Ataxia UK, a charity that funds treatment and provides support for those with ataxia.
Ataxia is a term for a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech
His mum, Helen Gibson, explained the impact of his dad’s condition on Jack:
“Jack and his dad are very close but Jack sometimes struggles as his dad can’t do all of the things he would like him to because of his condition and tires easily.”
Jack attends young carers events in Harrogate. After smashing his original goal to walk 126 miles, he chose to increase his goal to 200 miles.
He has been walking at least three miles a day for four weeks to complete his goal. Some days he has walked as far as 8 miles.
Jack’s inspiration to walk was explained by his mum,
“He chose walking as he said it was something that was free and something that his dad can still do at the moment.”
Jack’s walks have been local, on the Stray or at Fountains Abbey. On holiday, he has completed his walks at Alton Towers or nearby National Trust locations.
He also walked the coast where his parents are originally from.
Both family and friends have joined Jack on his walks.
The family have a goal of £500 and have already raised £435.
If you are interested in donating to Jack’s fundraiser, there is a Just Giving page.
Anonymous £10k boost to Knaresborough man’s Ukraine fire engine appealA fundraising campaign by a Knaresborough man to buy a fire engine to send to Ukraine has received a £10,000 donation.
Bob Frendt was hoping to raise £20,000 to buy the appliance and send it to Volodymyr, which had its fire engines commandeered by the army in the fight against Russia.
However, he said he was worrying the total was unachievable, after getting stuck at £7,000 for several weeks.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I was getting a bit depressed and very stressed over it. I was thinking, ‘I’ve bitten off more than I can chew’, making promises I couldn’t keep and letting people down.
“Then I got this call out of the blue from a man who came to a fundraising folk night in Wetherby and heard me say a few words about what I was doing.
“He said he wanted to make a donation and asked for my bank details. He didn’t say how much – but when I saw it come through, I couldn’t believe it.
“I’m still buzzing now. I can’t believe it has happened. It just shows you what wonderful people there are around.”
The donor has asked to remain anonymous, but said the money was taken from a legacy left by his mother after she died earlier this year.
The man told Mr Frendt she was always a generous supporter of good causes, and had left him “more than he could ever spend” in her will.
In recognition of their generosity, Mr Frendt said he will name the fire engine after the man’s mother.
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Now, he is working with a former fire officer to source an appliance that he can take across Europe and hand over to the fire service in Volodymyr.
He added:
“I just need to raise the last £3,000 now.
“The paperwork shouldn’t take too long to get sorted. Hopefully, we can get it to Volodymyr before the end of October, when the weather closes in.
“If we can’t do that, we’re looking at not doing it until the end of March next year. I don’t want to leave it that long – they’ve got to have that fire engine.”
To help him take his funds from £17,000 to the total, Knot Another Choir will be performing a fundraising concert at Trinity Church in Knaresborough on October 6.
Tickets are £10 and available to buy online in advance.
Donations can also be made via Mr Frendt’s Just Giving page.
Ukulele group dedicates a year of performances to supporting Harrogate hospiceA year of more than 40 performances has seen a Harrogate ukulele group raise £4,500 for charity.
The group is partnered with Saint Michael’s Hospice, and all donations and performance fees are given to the Harrogate-based charity.
The Harrogate Spa Town Ukes was formed nearly 10 years ago by two members of the Bingley Ukulele club who wanted a group closer to home.
Since then, it has gone from strength to strength.
Bob Mansfield, the group’s events coordinator, said:
“The club has increased steadily over the years with over 40 members now. Ages do vary, but it is fair to say that the majority are around, or over, retirement age. The gender mix is pretty well equal.”
The group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at Oatlands Social Club and includes many former guitarists.
Mr Mansfield said their sets are “not all George Formby classics”, instead being made up of vintage rock and pop music.
The band has up to 20 players and regularly performs on Saturdays around Harrogate and the surrounding area. All performances are by volunteers with the aim of raising money for charity.
When asked why they chose the ukulele over other instruments, Bob Mansfield referred to a comment made by one audience member, who said, “you can’t listen to the ukulele without smiling”.
Further information about the group can be found on its website.
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