Tributes paid to self-made businessman and philanthropist Sir Robert Ogden

Sir Robert Ogden, the self-made businessman and philanthropist who opened a cancer centre at Harrogate District Hospital, has died aged 86.

Sir Robert made his fortune in the mining, quarrying and building industries and donated to charities, in particular those connected to cancer care.

He was also a leading racehorse owner and co-owned See More Business, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

Born in Wibsey, Bradford, in January 1936, Sir Robert was the eldest of six children. His father Albert was a master builder.

He lived in Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, where he kept his stables.

In 2001, he was awarded a knighthood for his services to charity which included the opening of the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.

The centre was opened in March 2014 and continues to offer cancer treatment and health and wellbeing services to patients today.

We're very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We're eternally grateful for his generosity – it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital. Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/NwAGA5bBnG

— Harrogate NHS FT (@HarrogateNHSFT) March 9, 2022

The hospital said:

“We’re very sad to hear Sir Robert Ogden has passed away. We’re eternally grateful for his generosity — it helped us to establish the Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre at our hospital.

“Thank you Sir Robert for your support. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs a similar centre in Northallerton opened by Sir Robert, also paid tribute to him.

A spokesperson said:

“Sir Robert was a huge supporter of charities and generously helped improve cancer services in the region.

“We’ll always be grateful for his support. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

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Successful racehorse owner

As well as charities, Sir Robert was a successful racehorse owner.

His mauve and pink checked silks were carried to victory by horses including Voy Por Ustedes and Exotic Dancer.

He also owned Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer and top horses over the jumps, including Ad Hoc, Marlborough, Star De Mohaison, Fadalko and Squire Silk.

Former jockey and Gold Cup winning trainer, Jonjo O’Neil, paid tribute to Sir Robert.

He said:

“Very sad to hear that Sir Robert Ogden has passed away.

“We enjoyed some incredible days with Exotic Dancer, notably winning the Lexus and a second in the Gold Cup.

“He was a wonderful gentleman who will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Sir Robert died peacefully at home on March 6, 2022.

He is survived by his second wife Lady Ana Ogden and his two sons Adam and Robert from his first marriage.

In memory of Sir Robert, a donation page has been set up at the University of Leeds to help support research into brain cancer. You can donate and find more information here.

Knaresborough friends fundraise in memory of ex-colleague

Four friends who worked together as teachers have raised almost £2,500 in memory of a former colleague who died of cancer.

Dee Oultram was helped by The Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre in Harrogate and Saint Michael’s Hospice in Harrogate in her final days. She died aged 52 on January 1 this year.

Dee had intended to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge with Paula Conroy, Laura Hunt, Fiona Laycock and Steph Cargill to raise money for the two organisations.

The five women taught together at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Knaresborough.

Dee Oultam walk

The challenge involves reaching the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in under 12 hours.

The women had to postpone their attempt twice due to covid and Dee died before it could be completed.

Her friends decided to carry on and fulfil the quest to help the organisations that did so much to help Dee and last weekend completed the challenge.

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Ms Conroy said Dee was with them in spirit throughout the day. She added.

“It took us 11 hours to complete the 40 kilometres and around 55,000 steps.

“But every penny donated was worth every single step to go towards helping beautiful people through various stages of their battle with cancer!

“We laughed and we cried, there were ups and there were downs.”

Main pic: (from left) Laura Hunt, Paula Conroy, Steph Cargill and Fiona Laycock on Whernside during the challenge.