The Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club column with Guy Wilson: Making a difference by delivering a little Christmas cheer

He usually spreads hope and joy and fun to many local children and, through the generosity of the parents and grandparents, the club raises funds for local charities.

Sadly and for obvious reasons this is not possible this year. So, instead, Harrogate Brigantes has gathered a Christmas fund totalling £6,400 and is distributing this as “presents” to some of the neediest of local causes so they can better help those most badly affected by the current covid crisis.

In addition, and recognising the problems elsewhere in the world, the club is also giving some £1,200 to Shelterbox to help with their disaster relief efforts and £1,000 to Nepal where the pandemic has caused major problems.

Those local good causes who are receiving a Brigantes “present” this Christmas include: Wellspring Therapy whose counselling service is in greater demands than ever before as stress levels increase; Carer’s Resource which provides support to carers of all ages; The Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) ‘Help at Home’ initiative which supports people who are unable to undertake work themselves, and cannot afford to pay a tradesperson or do not have a network of family or friends to support them; Supporting Older People (SOP) a charity aiming to alleviate the loneliness and isolation often experienced by older people living on their own; and Horticap to assist in the fitting out of their new kitchen which will enable them to enhance their income-generating potential in support of their disabled workers team.

Additional donations are also going to the Harrogate branch of Parkinsons UK, Dementia Forward and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

According to Frances Elliot, chief executive of HELP, Brigantes’ funding “will help keep our trusty and indispensable work vans on the road for another year”.

Carer’s Resource, too, are under pressure as Claire Macini explains: “Our carers have reported that the needs of the person they care for have increased during the pandemic. They are worried about how they will cope through further lockdowns or local restrictions.”

Mike Hammond, who is co-ordinating Brigantes’ covid relief efforts, said “It’s not just about money. We’re also working with Asda and raiding our own commercial stocks to put together some Christmas packages for some of the clients, both young and old, of the charities we are supporting.

“For instance, we’re helping SOP to put together a festive bag which will include a present, Christmas cake, card, newsletter and a cracker.”

But funding is essential and Brigantes president David Hayes explains how the money to make this help possible.

He said: “All this is possible only through the generosity of those who have supported our fundraising efforts and helped us to give away some £18,000 for covid relief since the start of the pandemic.

“I should like to say a very big thank you to them all: members of the public who have supported our new ventures such as the Lockdown Poetry Competition and our virtual trek up Everest; visitors to the Valley Gardens who have given at the Wishing Well; Club members who have made donations including those in lieu of what they would have spent on club meetings and meals; and the families and friends of members.”