Charities and Comunity Groups receive £50k funding from 1st. Tranche of Brigantes Legacy Fund

Charities and community groups from across Harrogate District have been awarded a series of grants as the first tranche of financial aid from the Brigantes Rotary Legacy Fund was distributed at a special presentation evening.

Representatives of the 14 successful applicants attended an event at Oakdale Golf Club on Tuesday evening as the awards – which ranged from £400 up to the maximum of £10,000 – were handed out.

Selected from a list of 65 Legacy Fund applications, the chosen groups included the Happy Wanderers Ambulance and Resurrected Bites who were both given £10,000, while Follifoot Disabled Riders (£3,250), New Beginnings (£2,700) and Saint Michael’s Hospice (£2,600) also benefitted.

Groups from across Harrogate were invited to seek a share of this initial £50,000, which is part of a generous donation left to Brigantes Rotary in the will of a local resident and friend of the club Denis Smith

Keen to see funds being put to good use within the District, Brigantes decided to split the donation into two lots of £50,000, with the second fund expected to be launched in 2025.

A Legacy Fund Committee of local business leaders was invited to assist in the judging process. Matthew Stamford, Director of Estate Agent Verity Frearson, Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals and Frances Elliot, CEO of Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) comprised the panel alongside Brigantes President Bill O’Rourke and David Read, Director of ConsultRFID, who is also a member of Brigantes .

President Bill O’Rourke, comments: “This was an extremely difficult process, because so many of the groups and charities asking for our support had put forward very strong applications. I thank our Legacy panel for their diligence and consideration over every application. The total amount requested was many times greater than the £50,000 we had earmarked for this tranche and it was a real shame that we could not help them all.

“However, we are absolutely delighted to have been able to support these worthy 14 organisations with financial grants ranging from £400 up to £10,000. We are confident that the funds will not only be put to good use, but will make a huge difference to the local community.”

Chair of the Legacy Selection Panel, Matthew Stamford, comments: “This was a wonderful opportunity for Harrogate Brigantes Rotary to make a real difference to charities and groups in the Harrogate community. “Reading the various stories and understanding just how this money will be spent by the applicants shone a light on all the people who do an amazing job helping those in need. Brigantes has made a real difference and I look forward to launching the second tranche of when I’m expecting even more groups to step forward with their requests.”