A TENTH annual challenge day held in aid of Manorlands was a massive success.

The event – at the Coniston Hotel, Country Estate and Spa, in Coniston Cold – raised a whacking £54,000.

All proceeds from the day, organised by the Manorlands challenge committee, will go to the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

The funds take to more than £1 million the amount now raised over the years by the committee.

Four-strong teams from a number of companies – including Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor, Stirk Lambert Chartered Accountants and OPM Labels – participated in the challenge day.

Activities included a 4x4 off-road experience and clay pigeon shooting.

And the event culminated with a hog roast supper and drinks.

Overall winner of the challenges was a team from Redrow Homes.

Runner-up was Brook Taverner tailors, of Keighley and Huddersfield.

Manorlands fundraising bosses pay tribute to the Bannister family, which owns the hotel, and all those who supported the event.

Rachel Binns, head of fundraising at the hospice, was thrilled with the success of the day.

“The Coniston Challenge Day is an absolutely fantastic event,” she said.

“The amount raised would not have been possible without the kind support of the Bannisters, hotel staff, Coniston 4x4 Off Road Experience and the Coniston shooting ground.

“They very generously donated the hotel, estate facilities, staff time and all the food and drink for the whole day.”

She also gave glowing praise to the challenge committee.

“The committee works very hard to make its events a success,” she added.

“A million pounds is a staggering milestone to have reached and the committee should be applauded for this success.”

Coniston Hotel director Louise Bolton was also delighted with how the day went.

“This event is always a great opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause in a superb location – with fantastic facilities and a range of exciting activities,” she said.

“Many of the teams present on the day were regular corporate or leisure guests who trust us with their reward, recognition and team-building events.

“It was also pleasing to see new companies taking part, which will most certainly be joining us again next year.

“We are thrilled that our fundraising efforts have amounted to such an amazing sum of money – far exceeding what we hoped to achieve.

“Thank you to everyone who took part, our sponsors, the challenge committee and team at the hotel.”

Any companies interested in taking part next year should e-mail rachel.cunningham@sueryder.org.

The challenge committee was formed about 14 years ago.

Its other major event is a hugely-successful annual Beef and Beer Dinner.

Last year’s dinner, at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, attracted more than 240 guests and raised £44,000.

The cash was coined-in through ticket sales, a lucky dip raffle, quiz and auction.

As in previous years, guests enjoyed prime sirloin of beef donated by Dovecote Park near Pontefract and cask ales donated by Timothy Taylor’s.

Speaker was the Right Rev James Jones, former Bishop of Liverpool and chairman of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

Master of ceremonies was Charles Dent, of Timothy Taylor’s.

Both events further cement the hospice’s strong links with the business community.

Any firms wishing to get involved with raising money for Manorlands can contact the fundraising office on 01535 640430.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.

Only a small part of the cost is covered by statutory funds.

Most of the funds have to be raised through voluntary donations.

The next big fundraiser is an annual colour run, this Sunday.

The Paintrush event, at Marley playing fields in Keighley, sees participants cover a 5km route while getting bombarded with paint powder.

Main sponsors JACS of Skipton, Holroyds Estate Agents and the McMally Group will each staff a paint station on the day.

Other backers include Blue Sky Event Solutions, AB Jetting, Whitakers Animal Feeds and Colin Appleyard.

For more details and to enter, visit sueryder.org/paintrush.

And on August 19, a Bolton Abbey Trail Festival is being held, from 11am.

There will be several distances to cater for all abilities – two miles, a 10k, a half marathon, 15 miles and 20 miles.

The routes will start and finish at the festival village at the Bridge Field car park, and most will take in the trails of Barden Moor.

There will be chip timing.

All participants will receive a bespoke Bolton Abbey Trail Festival medal.