People across the Harrogate district have been paying tribute to Yorkshire broadcasting legend Harry Gration, who died suddenly on Friday.

Helen Mackenzie won Harry’s Heroes last year — a Stray Ferret  competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and Harry to find the people in the district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Helen won for her role in starting Back to Basics in 2019 in Ripon, which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Today she said:

“I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Harry’s sudden passing.

“As Harry’s Heroes last summer I had the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh when he presented my award. It’s so lovely when you finally meet a celebrity and he turns out to be just as nice as he is on the telly.

“I was honoured to be the first Harry’s Hero. I am devastated that I am also the last. Hopefully this wonderful accolade can still be kept alive by Harry’s colleagues in his memory.

“My love and prayers go to his wife and family. Rest in Peace, Harry.”

Helen Mackenzie with Harry and Alex Hutton (centre), who nominated Helen.

Harrogate Spring Water described Harry as a “true gentleman” in a tweet.

We were honoured to have worked with Harry on our Harry’s Heroes campaign. What a true gentleman. RIP Harry. https://t.co/Qat66Km7ne

— HarrogateSpringWater (@HarrogateSpring) June 27, 2022

Sue Cawthray, from elderly care charity Harrogate Neighbours sent us this message:

“Together with Yorkshire, I am still in shock at such sad news. Can’t believe I was only sat listening to him last Saturday 18 June at the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Dinner. So funny, entertaining and interesting. Always a supporter of local charities.

“Lovely memory of a news story we did with him on our meals service at Harrogate Neighbours. Was a pleasure to meet him on several occasions through the work I do as a member of the ICG board.”

Artist Caryl Hallett designed the stained glass monument in Harrogate’s Montpellier district that was commissioned by Harrogate Borough Council to celebrate the town hosting the Tour De France Grand Depart. Harry came along to support when it was unveiled.

Caryl’s husband, Shaun Hallett, said:

“He was interested, inquisitive, friendly, helpful, and charming.

 “Hopefully, Caryl’s piece will be enjoyed by many for years to come and will help to represent a legacy that has been steadily building in terms of local cycling participation.

“There can be no doubt that Harry’s legacy as a journalist, presenter, and reporter of the very highest quality is firmly cemented in the hearts and minds of Yorkshire people. “

Read More: 

• The Stray Ferret pays tribute to Harry Gration
• WATCH: Ripon woman crowned Harry’s Hero for helping disadvantage families

Harry Gration was loved  by many people in the Harrogate district and across Yorkshire. He touched many lives – last year he worked with us at the Stray Ferret in a competition to find Harry’s Heroes.

In the course of a few weeks he met the finalists and made podcasts with them – talking to them about what inspired them to work for others.  It was what Harry liked doing best — meeting people from all walks of life.

Tamsin O’Brien the director of the Stray Ferret worked with Harry at the BBC when he was presenting Look North.  Today she said:

“Harry was a one-off. He was fun and simply got on with everyone. A naturally gifted communicator.

“I worked with Harry in my previous career at the BBC and it was joy to work again with him last year on Harry’s Heroes. It’s hard to take in the news that he’s no longer with us.

“I speak on behalf of all of us at the Stray Ferret by sending Helen and his family all our love and thoughts at this time. There was only one Harry Gration.”

Susie Little from Covid Co-operation Harrogate, who was one of the nominated heroes, posted a picture on Facebook of herself with Harry and this message :

Susie Little with Harry last year for Harry’s Heroes

Harry Gration lived in York but was a regular visitor to the district.

He was a season ticket holder at Harrogate Town which posted this message:

Recently Harry spoke at a Harrogate Brigantes fundraising event. Today a statement was issued from the club’s Les Ellington:

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Harry Gration MBE, who was guest speaker and auctioneer at our charity dinner only on 17 June, helping us to raise over £5000 for our Ukraine appeal.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former colleagues at the BBC. Rest in peace Harry and thank you from all of us.”

Do you have memories of meeting Harry Gration? Do send them to us and we will publish them in the coming few days. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Helen Mackenzie was crowned the winner of Harry’s Heroes yesterday after beating five other finalists for the accolade.

The Stray Ferret launched the competition in partnership with Harrogate Spring Water and former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration to find the people in the Harrogate district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

Ms Mackenzie received the most votes in recognition of her work to help families in Ripon.

In 2019, she started a project called Back to Basics (B2B), which gives families ingredients and instructions on how to make meals.

Throughout the pandemic, she has fundraised, shopped, collected donations, packed and delivered food, along with electrical goods and other items, to families in need.

More than 20 people were nominated for exceptional work in their communities. This list was then narrowed down to the final six; Cath Wilson, Greta Knight, Helen Mackenzie, Lauren Doherty, Mark Oldfield and Susie Little.

Read more:

• Harry’s Heroes: listen to inspiring stories and vote for your hero
• Harrogate Christmas lights switched on by ‘Harry’s Heroes’

Once all the 1,300-plus votes were counted, Ms Mackenzie came out top.

Harry Gration visited Ms Mackenzie yesterday to give her the good news.

You can learn more about each hero by listening to their podcasts here.

The finalists in the search to find the Harrogate district’s community champion were invited to perform the official Christmas lights switch-on in Harrogate last night.

Lauren Doherty, Greta Knight, Susie Little, Helen Mackenzie, Mark Oldfield and Cath Wilson asked to perform the duties outside the Victoria Shopping Centre at 5pm.

Mark was unable to attend but the five others were there, along with representatives from Harrogate Business Improvement District.

Those selected are finalists in Harry’s Heroes — an event run by the Stray Ferret in conjunction with former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration and Harrogate Spring Water to find the people in the district doing exceptional things to help others in the community.

The BID, which organised the switch-on, did not publicise it in advance this year to avoid any covid risk caused by crowds gathering.

The BID, which is funded by a levy on businesses, aims to increase footfall in Harrogate town centre and boost trade.

It is also involved with this year’s Christmas Shop Window contest as well as the Father Christmas Experience at the Crown Hotel.

Read more:

• Deep clean of Ripon alleyways to be first BID project
• Harry’s Heroes Finalist Vote
• Watch ex-Harrogate Town footballer’s reaction after winning £1m on lottery

Former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration has met six inspirational people from the Harrogate district for his new podcast Harry’s Heroes.

Harry has recorded conversations with finalists Cath Wilson, Greta Knight, Helen Mackenzie, Lauren Doherty, Mark Oldfield and Susie Little who were all put forward by local people who feel their work is extraordinary. Each are doing exceptional things in different ways to help others in the community.

Harry has partnered with sponsor Harrogate Spring Water to champion the work of these exceptional individuals.

You can learn more about each hero and listen to the podcasts by clicking or tapping here and afterwards vote for your favourite. We hope you enjoy listening to their stories and about their work.

The hero who gets the most votes will win a trip to London for a fantastic concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

Voting closes on November 28 at 11.59pm. The winner will be announced by Harry Gration the following day on November 29.

Harry said on the launch of his new podcast:

“My final six local heroes have told me their stories, we’ve recorded them and they’re ready to listen to.

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet all of our heroes along with the people who put them forward in the first place.

“I encourage you to take the time to listen to all of their stories, they really are fantastic and very moving.

“I’m delighted to give these individuals the recognition they deserve and hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I did making them.

“You can vote in the form below but before you do, take the time to listen to all six stories.

“I look forward to announcing the lucky winner on 29 November with Harrogate Spring Water.”

Do you know someone in the Harrogate district who has gone above and beyond to help others in the past 18 months?

Former BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration has teamed up with the Stray Ferret and Harrogate Spring Water to celebrate exceptional individuals in the Harrogate district and needs your nominations.

Harry said:

“For the last two years it’s been pretty miserable, but I’m very excited indeed to be looking for local heroes – the kind of person who’s been inspirational and made a big impact on many people’s lives.

“With the help of Harrogate Spring Water, we hope to find one person who is the best of the best, via a public vote.”

If you know someone who you think deserves to be recognised, you can nominate them on the Stray Ferret website here. It doesn’t have to be covid related; it could be someone who volunteers in their community, helps others through their work, or has made a big difference to another individual.

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Nominations are open now on the Stray Ferret website.

Charlotte Holmes, External Communications & Community Engagement Manager from Harrogate Spring Water which sponsors the competition, said:

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Harry Gration and the Stray Ferret to find your heroes from across the Harrogate District. In these unprecedented times we have seen so many examples of people’s kindness and support within our community and we are delighted to be working with Harry to give them the recognition they deserve.”

Six shortlisted heroes will then have the chance to talk to Harry about their lives and work on his brand new podcast series, Harry’s Heroes, which will launch on the Stray Ferret in November.

The winner will receive an unforgettable trip to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with travel and refreshments included.