Sir – I would like to use your publication to offer the sincere thanks and gratitude of the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven and it's members to all those from Skipton and surrounding areas who have helped make this Christmas a record one for us in our fund raising efforts.

We started early due to the disaster in the Philippines, but with street collections and particularly the help of many local schools, we managed to raise enough money to purchase five Shelter Boxes.

These will have kept up to 50 people sheltered, with clean water and with the ability to cook this Christmas who may not have had such “luxuries” without these Shelter Boxes.

We then had a record entry for the annual Skipton Santa Fun Run, and I am sure, once we have done all the totting up, this will lead to a record sum being raised for the likes of Sue Ryder (Manorlands), Martin House, Yorkshire Dales Society and many other worthy local causes.

We have been present in local supermarkets each weekend in December with Santa and had our Roll-A-Penny stall each day at the Grassington Victorian Market, and again raised more money than ever before.

Finally we have been escorting Santa in his sleigh around the streets of Skipton and surrounding villages most nights for the last three weeks and once again our receipts are record breaking.

We will have over £7,000 to distribute to local causes in 2014.

We could not have done it without the generous support of the people of Craven.

Thank you to all those that supported us in one or more of our ventures this December.

We wish you a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Bob Marchant, President, Rotary Club of Skipton Craven