A TOTAL of 21 deserving local community groups and organisations have each received a share of a £3,000 windfall.

The annual Skipton Charities Gala Committee cheque presentation evening was held at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, when long-serving chairman Geoff Dunn, assisted by 2018 Rosebud Queen Hana Mahmood, handed over individual cheques.

They were taken from reserve funds as the 2018 highlight again failed to make a profit.

MC for the evening, gala secretary Nicola Spurgeon, explained: “For the past two years the Gala hasn’t charged entrance fees on the field and for this reason we have not made any profit, but we feel it is important that we still try to give out what we can in donations for local community groups and organisations.”

The recipients were Voices of Craven 2018, Embsay with Eastby Recreation Ground, Skipton Church Institute Cricket Club, Ward 17 Children’s Ward at Airedale Hospital, Buddies, Red Box Project, Sutton’s Green Hut Theatre Company, 7th Skipton (St Stephen’s) Girl Guides, Skipton Community Orchestra, Carer’s Resource, Exclusively Inclusive, Elite Karate Centre, GTS Performing Arts, 5th Skipton Scouts, Samuel’s Rainbow, Skipton Juniors Football Club, South Craven Explorer Scouts, Little Feet/Greatwood Community Centre, Friends of Aireville Park, Embsay Preschool Playgroup and Skipton Invisible Illness Support Group.

Special bouquets of thanks in recognition of their outstanding services over many years were also presented to gala president Vera Longthorne and stalwarts Christine and Ted Perry.

The next year’s Skipton Charities Gala, is on Saturday, June 8 - as long as volunteers to help can be found.

Mr Dunn said: “We desperately need volunteers or there is a very great danger that this popular event will have no option but to wrap up.”