Harrogate Brigantes Rotary in partnership with the Yorkshire Society held a highly successful Jubilee Charity Dinner at the Cedar Court hotel on 17 June. Guests from local businesses, Rotary clubs and friends gathered amid balloons and bunting to celebrate the recent Jubilee and raise money for the Ukraine appeal.
The guest speaker was Harry Gration of ‘Look North’ fame who entertained us with tales from his forty years with the BBC. As we now know, Harry sadly passed away on 24 June 2022 aged 71 and all at the club send their condolences to his family.
Harry’s tales ranged from a long-distance tandem ride with Amy Garcia and a three-legged extravaganza with weatherman Paul Hudson to a moving account of troops leaving Camp Bastion. Harry also paid tribute to the work done in aid of good causes by Rotary in general and Brigantes in particular.
In addition, there was entertainment from an acoustic guitarist and magician Roger Yaxley. And the evening culminated in an ‘experiences’ auction for items generously donated by sponsors and overseen by Harry and Brigantes President Les Ellington who commented: “This was a wonderful evening with lots of great people, an entertaining speaker and an impressive total raised for a cause which touches our communities both locally and internationally.”
Lead organiser Mike Hammond from Brigantes Rotary Club said, “I’d like to pay tribute to the great team who put together this wonderful event. Its success in raising in excess of £5000 to support refugees from Ukraine is down to the generosity of our guests and sponsors. We are most grateful to them all.” The following organisations supported the event: Cedar Court Hotels, Ake and Humphris Wine and Beer Specialists, Fresh Fields Foods Ltd, Serious Sweet Company, Great Yorkshire Show, Oakdale Golf Club, Rudding Park, and Supporting Older People (SOP).