Saint Michael’s Hospice and Cancer Research UK‘s charity shops in the Harrogate district will be opening their doors next week as they try to recover from financial losses during the pandemic.
The two charities rely heavily on money raised from the shops and are eager to reopen once more.
For local charity Saint Michael’s, most of its shops will reopen on Monday, while those in Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Jennyfield Drive and 149 King’s Road in Harrogate are reopening on Tuesday.
Donations can be dropped off on Tuesdays and Fridays each week but customers are advised to call the shop beforehand.
The donation drop-off point on Hookstone Wood Road is no longer in operation.
Saint Michael’s chief executive Tony Collins said:
“We’re pleased that our shops will now begin to reopen their doors from next Monday, giving those across the Harrogate district the opportunity to purchase a range of preloved items.
“Stringent health and safety measures will be in place in each of our shops, with the safety of our community, staff and volunteers at the forefront of our reopening plans.”
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The Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon Cancer Research UK stores also hope to welcome back plenty of customers to boost their finances.
The charity has predicted its fundraising income will decline by £300million over the next three years, due to the pandemic.
Ripon’s Cancer Research UK shop is looking forward to welcoming back shoppers
Anticipating a staycation boom, Cancer Research UK is asking for donations of men, women and children’s summer clothing. Any items can be dropped off in store.
Lisa Millett, Cancer Research UK spokesperson, said:
Harrogate cyclist climbs height of Everest in Dales“Covid has hit us hard. That’s why we’re calling on everyone to please bag up and bring in any unwanted items.
“Right now, we need quality clothing, shoes, homewares, accessories and books to help keep our tills – and bargain hunters – busy. Most important of all, the sale of these items helps to ensure we can keep making progress for people with cancer.”
On Saturday Bruno Marks, a member of Cappuccino Cycling Club in Harrogate, attempted to ‘Everest’, cycling up and down Park Rash in Kettlewell forty times.
‘Everesting’ is a cycling term that involves choosing a steep hill and cycling up and down it until reaching 29,029ft – the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
Bruno began his challenge at 4:30am on Saturday morning and completed the challenge at 8pm that evening, climbing a total of 30,942ft. He decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK the night before the challenge.
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He told The Stray Ferret:
“The day started great at 4.30 am, with a fantastic sunrise on my first lap to lift the spirits, but by 6am an hour long downpour had started! It made it pretty tough having to descend very slowly and carefully and getting very cold in the process. But the legs felt strong and I completed 40 laps with 30,942 ft of ascent at around 8pm.”
Bruno climbed a total of 30,942 ft in very bad weather.
Bruno has raised £3,448 so far for Cancer Research UK. To donate to Bruno’s challenge visit – https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/bruno-park-rash-everesting
Harrogate Race For Life to be replaced by events at homeA series of major fundraisers in Harrogate has been called off, leaving a hole in the budget for a national charity.
Race for Life, along with Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids, had already been postponed from July to October but has now been cancelled altogether for this year.
Organisers Cancer Research UK say the decision has been made to keep participants safe. The events usually attract hundreds of participants onto the Stray, completing 5km and 10km courses.
Lisa Millett, the charity’s spokesperson in North Yorkshire, said:
“Since it began in 1994, Race for Life has raised over £890m for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has taken part and hope their support will continue.
“We know Race for Life is such a treasured part of the UK’s events calendar and it is with a heavy heart that for the first time in 27 years we have to announce that it won’t be taking place. The safety of our supporters, volunteers, suppliers and staff is however essential.
“We hope the Race for Life event series will be back bigger and stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime, we’d love to invite as many people as possible to join us by taking part in Race for Life at Home in these challenging times.”
As a result of lockdown, Cancer Research UK says it expects to see a drop in income of up to 25 percent.
Through Race for Life at Home, the charity is encouraging people to set themselves challenges to complete in their own gardens or public places. It hopes the money raised will go some way towards filling the gap left my its major events, which fund long-term research and pioneering trials to treat people across the UK.
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Cancer Research UK is expecting a 25 percent drop in income this year because fundraising events have been called off
Lisa added: “Cancer hasn’t stopped and people affected by cancer need our support more than ever.
“From a run or 5K walk around the garden or local park to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home. With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, star jump, squat, skip, dance, trampoline, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends. We’re urging everyone – men women and children – to join our community and help raise vital funds.”