A terminally ill woman from Harrogate has launched a fundraiser for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Sheena Blake was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in June. It’s an incurable brain tumour which cannot be operated on.

Sheena, who is 38 years old, works as a teaching assistant and is the mother of two young girls.

In a video posted to her Facebook page, she said that the diagnosis had been heart-breaking for her family but that she would not go down without a fight.

Sheena has started to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity, a UK-based organisation that funds global research into brain tumours and offers support for those affected by the disease.

She said:

“Unfortunately, I am one of many people fighting this horrible disease and I have to do everything in my power to turn it into something good and positive.

“My Mission is to make my girls proud and raise some money to help others going through similar circumstances.

“I am determined to do some good, it might not be able to save me but it absolutely could help save someone else”

Sheena intends to start radiotherapy and chemotherapy to slow her tumour’s growth and explained how fundraising would motivate help her to keep going during this difficult time .

Since its launch a week ago, the charity fundraiser has received over £7,000 in donations, exceeding its initial £5,000 target.

Sheena commented:

“I can’t believe how generous and kind people have been.

“I’ve gone over my target so I’m running with it. This is going to be my focus, this is going to give me the push that I need to keep fighting.”

If you wish to donate or find out more click the link to Sheena’s fundraiser here.

Read more

• 700 people take part in Harrogate Race for Life
• Dad to cycle 1,600km to fund research into late wife’s cancer

A village cycling group near Ripon has taken part in a gruelling ride across Italy to fundraise for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The Bishop Monkton Next Challenge Cycling Club (BMNCCC) cycled 275 kilometres across the width of Italy as part of the Chase the Sun challenge.

The challenge is held every year, departing at sunrise in the town of Cesenatico on the eastern coast and finishing in Tirrenia on the west coast at sunset.

Besides cycling in the Italian summer heat, one of the most demanding aspects of the journey was climbing to an elevation of 3,300 metres.

The cyclists initially aimed to raise £2,000 but generated well over £6,000 for the air ambulance charity once they completed the difficult ride.

The cycling group’s motive for the fundraiser was deeply personal.  Two members, Ollie Coughlan and Ben Cairns, have received critical medical assistance from Yorkshire Air Ambulance services in the past.

In 2018 Ollie suffered a cardiac arrest aged just 39. After he received immediate aid from his friends, air ambulance crew swiftly arrived at the scene to help, playing a vital role in his survival.

More recently, in January 2022, fellow cyclist Ben Cairns was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery after he broke his hip, femur and ribs in a major cycling accident.

Ben’s cycling accident in 2022.

Ollie said:

“I will be forever grateful for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew’s fast response on the day of my accident.

“Now, I am determined to give back by actively fundraising for the charity, ensuring they can continue their life-saving work for others in need too

Read more

• ‘Do it for David’: Harrogate Festivals boss set for Great North Run
• Harrogate cyclist forced to pause 1,000km charity ride

Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on volunteers and fundraising to continue running services.

Linda Stead, regional fundraising manager at the charity, commented:

 “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the cyclists for their incredible support and dedication.

“This epic ride is not only a test of their endurance and determination but also a heartfelt initiative. Their fundraising efforts will make help us to continue flying across Yorkshire and saving lives.”

To learn more about the challenge visit the BMNCCC’s Just Giving page here.

After covid lockdowns put the brakes on the annual Ripon Old Car Classic Gathering (ROCCG) shows in 2020 and 2021, it was back in gear this year raising much-needed money for charities.

The principal beneficiary from the 2022 gathering, held at the city’s racecourse, was Guide Dogs for the Blind, which has received £4,000 from the funds raised at the event.

ROCCG secretary Hazel Barker, told the Stray Ferret:

“Although not one of our best-attended shows, it realised a total of £5050.00 for distribution.

“The committee was very pleased with the final figure as it was uncertain as to how many classic vehicle entrants there would be due to the financial climate, the Covid pandemic, the weather and the number of visitors coming through the gate.

“All in all it was a great success.”

This was the 27th time that a wide selection of classic cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and tractors have headed to Ripon for the gathering which,  over the years, has raised thousands of pounds for good causes.

The gathering has raised thousands of pounds for Ripon charities

Profits from the event are shared between local charities and good causes and each year the ROCCG committee donates a large amount to one chosen charity and smaller donations to a number of other deserving causes.

Dementia Forward, Alzheimers, Vision Support, RNLI, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St Michael’s and Herriot Hospices and Macmillan, all received £150 each.

The cheque presentations were made at Hazel House in Allhallowgate last week and each recipient gave a short talk on how the money would be spent.

All said that the pandemic had hit them hard and they were grateful to receive the cheque to help them continue with the work they were doing in our area.

The ROCCG committee is now looking forward to the 2023 event-at the racecourse on Sunday  July 30.

The show will once again be a family-friendly gathering of old and classic vehicles with the entry  fee held at £5. Further information can be obtained by clicking here.

The team behind Harrogate estate agents Feather Smailes Scales has raised more than £5,000 for charity by taking on The Yorkshire Three Peaks.

In total, 13 staff took on the mammoth challenge, which covers 24 miles and 1,585 metres of ascent on Friday, April 8.

FSS Property chose to support Maggie’s Cancer Charity with the hike. Maggie’s has centres across the UK where people with cancer and their families can access support.

Daniel Brumfitt, a partner at FSS, said:

“Maggie’s Cancer Charity is an organisation close to the team’s hearts. So many of us have seen loved ones lose the dreadful battle of fighting cancer.

“Our Just Giving campaign hopes to give back something to a group that does such fantastic work. The least we could do was hike the beautiful Yorkshire Three Peaks!

“Reaching the top of Ingleborough is a fantastic feeling; the view over the moors is even more breathtaking than the hike itself.

“Everyone finished in good spirits without any injuries, aside from a few blisters and some sore legs!”

Three Peaks Challenge

The iconic hike is recognised as one of the UK’s best walks. It is often chosen for charity hikes for its difficulty level and stunning views of the North Yorkshire Moors.

It takes in the peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen y Ghent with stunning views of the surrounding Yorkshire Dales skyline.

Everything went to plan on the day the team at FSS put on their walking boots.

They aimed for 12 hours and managed to complete it well under that, punching in a cool 10 hours and 30 minutes.

You can still donate by clicking or tapping here to help those impacted by cancer take back control of their lives.

FSS are one of the area’s only comprehensive estate agents and know the Harrogate district like the back of their hands. So the community where they are based is key.

Help FSS raise money for Maggies Cancer Charity by supporting their Just Giving page.

A group of students from Harrogate Ladies College orchestrated a march around the town centre today to raise money for the Ukraine crisis.

The group encouraged the public to join them on the march at 2pm and collected donations in buckets.

All money raised will be going directly to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

One of the organisers, Mahala, said they were inspired by the fact that they had two Ukrainian students in their year group;

“Some people are reading about it on the news but not doing anything because they’re not directly impacted, but all of us seeing how hard it was for these girls made us want to try and help.

It’s hard when you feel useless because you can’t do a lot, but you can donate money.”

The Ukrainian Red Cross is focusing on offering first aid and supplies to Ukrainians who have suffered as a result of the Russian invasion.

Those who were unable to attend are still able to make donations on the JustGiving page.

Read more

• Harrogate Council raises £15,000 through cremation metal recovery
• Ripon family’s plea: ‘Please help the people of Ukraine’

Meanwhile, Stockeld Park in Wetherby have pledged to donate £10,000 to Ukrainian charities from ticket sales for its Easter Adventure event.

The money raised will be split between UNICEF and Ukrainian charity Voices of Children.

Harrogate farm shop Fodder also announced on Facebook today that they will be renaming their Chicken Kiev to Chicken Kyiv in support of Ukraine, and donating a small portion of their sale profits to charity.