GENEROUS people of Craven dug deep and showed their support for charities in the run-up to Christmas in events organised by The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven.
The hugely popular Great Skipton Santa Fun Run, attended by just shy of 2,000 people; Christmas supermarket collections and the Santa sleigh collections raised a grand total of £59,524 for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, Marie Curie and local charities.
The 14th Great Skipton Santa Fun Run , which took place on November 26 last year, coincided with the turning on of the town's Christmas lights. It saw 1,848 people in Santa suits run, walk or wheel-chair their way around a 5km or 3km course through the streets of Skipton, Aireville Park and Skipton Woods. It raised £48,627 including funds raised by participating teams and individuals - who were raising money for their selected charities - as well as through sponsorship and anonymous donations.
In addition, Supermarket collections at Morrison's and Tesco raised £2,707, while donations to the Santa sleigh were £8,190.
Colin Hargreaves, president of The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven said it had been a great effort by all involved. He said: “Once again, the people of Skipton and Craven have shown their generosity in supporting our Christmas fundraising activities, and for that I wish to extend my grateful thanks.
"We have already started to distribute funds to worthy local causes, including our principal charities: Sue Ryder Manorlands and Marie Curie."
He added: "To my colleagues at the Rotary Club of Skipton Craven, the volunteers at our partnership charity Skipton Step into Action, Skipton Town Council, Rombalds Radio, our Santa Fun Run sponsors and all our rotary friends who helped us with our Christmas fundraising activities I offer a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for your efforts, and wish all a very happy New Year”.
Charities supported by the rotary club include Skipton Step into Action, rotary's partner charity, with the jointly organised spring, summer and autumn tea parties in Skipton Town Hall, the Principle Trust Children's Charity, which helps vulnerable and under privileged children and their families, SELFA, Brooklands School, Ukraine donation, Bibby Coaches charity, and Skipton in Bloom.
A full list of the charities that The Rotary Club of Skipton Craven has supported during the last year and throughout the current year, can be found on the Club’s website: www.skiptoncravenrotary.co.uk
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