Rose pins sale unites flood town

Mrs Hainsworth was determined to help the people of Tadcaster following the disastrous floods and bridge collapse in December 2015.

In March this year, after helping with the clean-up operation following the floods, the Leader of Tadcaster Grammar School’s Big Band, organised a fundraising concert for the flood victims at the Riley-Smith Hall in the town. The sell-out concert raised the magnificent sum of £3,100.

Through Mrs Hainsworth’s contact with the Personal Secretary of HRH The Duke of York, she was introduced to Adrian Buckley of Buckley London.

He generously donated 2,000 Yorkshire Rose pins to her to sell and raise much needed funds for the residents and businesses affected by the floods.

He then donated a further 1,000 pins when the initial 2,000 had sold so quickly.

Following the complete sell-out of the bespoke pins, Mr Buckley visited Tadcaster this week to meet some of those business people who had been affected by the floods and subsequently benefitted from his generosity and the amazing efforts of Mrs Hainsworth.

“We were delighted that we were asked to contribute to this wonderful community effort after the terrible floods struck Tadcaster,” said Mr Buckley. “Gillian has been amazing with her organisation and determined fundraising which I know has helped many of those who were hardest hit after the collapse of the bridge. Well done to Tadcaster and to everyone who has contributed to this wonderful community effort!”

A spokesperson from Allens Ironmongers said: “Thank you to Adrian for his generosity in donating the pins ensuring it was 100% profit.” Their message to Gillian: “£13,000 is a truly fantastic result. You are a true Tadcaster hero.”

“Words cannot express how immensely grateful I am to Adrian Buckley of Buckley London for presenting me with this magnificent fundraising opportunity to help Tadcaster residents and businesses recover from the Boxing Day floods,” said Mrs Hainsworth. “Though initially faced with the daunting prospect of selling so many pins, I quickly realised that there was great interest in them, both from the perspective of fundraising and as a symbol of unity. The initial 2,000, which were distributed locally and sold at local events, sold quickly and it was with great delight that Adrian gave me the challenge of selling a further 1,000. In total £13,030 has been raised from the sale of these 3,000 bespoke pins and it is so heart-warming to know that this has helped so many residents and businesses get back on their feet after the devastating floods,” she added.

Over the months the money has paid for many things, replacing uninsured items, assisting with costs incurred because of the floods, re-establishing businesses and each month it has paid for the support group to host a social at the Salvation Army; an opportunity where all could gather and share vital information and support each other. Kirsty Perkins of the Tadcaster Flood & Fundraising Group sent a personal message to Mrs Hainsworth saying: “What an achievement, you must feel so proud of yourself. Thank you for everything you have done. You have pretty much single-handedly helped those in most need in the town and because of your efforts we are able to give them cash boosts before the bridge reopens. My words don’t seem enough, but from the bottom of my heart I thank you.”