Donation helps open doors for HELP
Opening Doors clients and volunteers receive the Bettys Good Cause Award during a visit to The Cone Exchange
Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate have awarded HELP a £1000 Good Cause Award to help tackle social isolation among its clients. The award will help pay for group outings, events and social groups organised by the charity’s Opening Doors service, as well as support the charity’s voluntary car driving service.
Anna Woollven, HELP Project Development Worker said:
“By assisting local people to get out and about, our volunteer-led services make a huge difference helping overcome the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness, especially among older people. The Good Cause Award will help pay for more group outings, events and social groups, all of which assist local people to reconnect with the communities in which we all live and work.”
Harrogate Choral Society on song for charity
Frances Elliot receives the cheque from the Harrogate Choral Society
The Harrogate Choral Society recently presented HELP with a cheque for £700 from their performance of Handel’s Messiah in the run up to Christmas. Together with proceeds from a raffle and bucket donations, the amount raised totalled £1,000. HELP’s Head of Practical Services, Frances Elliot, said: “We are delighted to have been the beneficiary of such a popular event and the money raised will help pay for our vital work supporting vulnerable and older local people.”
Nidderdale Messiah hits the high notes for HELP
The committee behind the Nidderdale Messiah recently presented the HELP team with a cheque for £4500,
raised at their annual ‘Come and Sing’ Messiah. This amount was further supplemented by proceeds from a
craft stall selling produce hand-made by HELP service users and volunteers.
HELP team members selling crafts at the Nidderdale Messiah
Project Development worker Lizzie Hughes commented, “This significant contribution from the recent Nidderdale Messiah will make a huge difference to our work supporting older and vulnerable people across the Harrogate District. We would like to extend our thanks to the entire committee who work so hard both to put on the beautiful Messiah each year and to raise money for local good causes.” HELP were also delighted that in addition to the donation, they now have some new volunteers from Nidderdale Messiah supporters.
Planning is already underway for the next Nidderdale Messiah later this year. This will take place on Sunday 25 November. The Nidderdale Messiah committee are now welcoming applications from local charities and community groups to be the designated charity from this year’s event.
If you are interested please contact Chairman Jane Burniston at admin@nidderdalemessiah.org.uk
HELP client on a fundraising drive
A regular passenger with HELP’s ‘Driving Force’ service recently embarked on a fundraising drive to thank HELP for the support it has given her. Jennifer Perkins and her team of volunteers, put on teas, tombola and a bric a brac stall at Wesley Chapel in Harrogate, as well as holding a tombola at Dene Park Community Centre.
Jennifer raised an amazing £353, which will directly support the charity’s work supporting older and vulnerable people, and those living with disabilities, to remain living independently within their own homes.
Jennifer Perkins (front) with her team of volunteers
Harrogate and District Allotment Federation grows cash for HELP
Giant vegetables and prize winning produce recently reaped dividends for HELP as proceeds from the Harrogate Allotment Show were pledged to support the charity’s Help at Home service. Visitors to the Allotment Show enjoyed the displays of produce, miniature gardens, home-baked goodies and photography put on by members of the Harrogate & District Allotment Association. The HELP stand also had a distinctly floral note, with a rose making children’s activity and volunteering tree brimming with volunteering opportunities. We are thrilled to hear that HDAF has raised an incredible £900 for HELP from the proceeds of the show! This will be spent on new equipment and materials to enable our Help at Home team to work more efficiently to support people with gardening, decorating and odd jobs in the Harrogate area.
HDAF Chair, David Griffiths, with Mayor of Harrogate,
Councillor Nick Brown and HELP team member, Anna Woollven
St Roberts Primary School raise £188.58 for HELP
A big thank you to the enterprising members of St Robert’s Volunteering Club who recently held a fundraising tea party. They raised a magnificent £188.58 to support HELP’s work in the local community in the process. The year 6 children performed songs, organised stalls and served refreshments to their guests. Opening Doors members also joined the party and commented on the effort that the children had gone to and how nice it was to be served by them.
Rotary Club of Harrogate race to generate cash for HELP
The Rotary Club of Harrogate recently raced their way to the finishing post, raising £1,250 for HELP along the way.The Club generously divided their proceeds from their annual race night between HELP and the Harrogate Homeless Project. This was part of a year of support and fundraising for HELP pledged by President, Graham Saunders
Maurice ‘McCrirrick’ Bull at the Rotary Race Night
Team HELP raise over £500 tackling the Nidderdale Walk
Team HELP with Rotary Club member
A team of intrepid walkers donned their walking boots to complete the 20 mile Nidderdale Walk. Taking in the sights of Ripley Castle, Glasshouses and many bluebells along the way, the team made regular stops at the refreshment stalls along the way. Their excuse was the sweltering heat, though we think the fantastic selection of home-made cakes was the real draw! The seven walkers raised a fabulous total of £500 which made the swollen ankles and blistered toes well worth it!