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.

People with new year’s resolutions to improve their fitness are being sought by Saint Michaels Hospice to set themselves a new challenge.

The Harrogate charity is looking for 60 runners to take part in this year’s Great North Run and raise money to support its work.

Last year, runners at the event raised £30,000 for the hospice, which works with families living with terminal illness and bereavement.

Saint Michael’s chief executive Tony Collins said:

“New year is the ideal time to take up a personal fitness and wellbeing challenge. What better way to stay motivated than by knowing that your running challenge will bring care and comfort to local families at the most difficult of times.

“As an independent local charity, we rely on our community to help raise the majority of the funds we need to provide our vital care.”

“By taking part in the Great North Run for Saint Michael’s, you’ll be helping us to care for patients and their families in their own homes as well as at our hospice, and providing much-needed support for children, young people, and adults living with bereavement.”

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The hospice offers participants tips to prepare for the half marathon, and has a marquee in the charity village with drinks and goody bags after runners cross the finishing line.

However, a spokesperson said there was usually a “flurry” of interest and sign-ups after the ballot places were announced in February, so anyone hoping to take part should sign up soon to avoid disappointment.

Entries are £30 each and there is a discount for people signing up in teams. Supporter David Brigham was one of those taking part with his daughter Charlotte Simpson last year.

He said:

“The atmosphere was amazing with a feeling of great achievement as runners collected their medals and had photographs taken to remember the occasion. Personally, I will never forget the experience and the pride in what we achieved.”

The Great North Run will take place on Sunday, September 10, starting in Newcastle and finishing in South Shields. To find out more about taking part for Saint Michael’s Hospice, click here.