CHARITY FOCUS
Live Ribble Valley takes a look at the many and varied charity projects that are taking place in towns and villages across the region
ART AT THE INN
Prostate cancer charity Mancheck has formed a unique collaboration with the Inn at Whitewell where 40 professional artists create works in the spirit of JMW Turner, inspired by Whitewell and the Forest of Bowland. The Art at the Inn event will this year take place on Tuesday 12th June in the marquee and vicinity of the iconic inn to raise money for Mancheck. There are no entrance fees for public visitors. Artwork from the day will then form exhibitions and sales at the Whitewell Social Hall from 26th June to 8th July, moving to the Platform Gallery Clitheroe from 10th to 21st July 2017. www.ArtAtTheInn.org
CHARITY PONY RIDE
Two young schoolgirls from Iley Riding Club visited Nightsafe homeless shelter where they met with Amanda Fletcher who is in her 15th year working to help rehome, educate, assist and generally help kids in need in our community. The centre provides accommodation within the main centre for up to two weeks, in a safe, clean, friendly environment with a range of activities. Nightsafe is lottery funded but otherwise rely on funds raised by members of the public. On 27th May Iley Riding Club is running a charity pony ride in order to raise money for Nightsafe. For more details go to: www.facebook.com/ileycharityride/
JUNE BAKER CONCERT
After the success of their 10th anniversary concert last year, Welcoming Spring to Longridge, which raised over £1000 for the Longridge Branch of the Brittle Bone Society, the June Baker Singers are on course to perform their 11th concert, Welcome to Summer, at Longridge Civic Hall on Saturday 16th June at 7.15pm. This annual event has raised £8,614 over the past 10 years and organisers Gertie and John Farmery are looking forward to another successful concert this year.
As in their previous concerts, the singers will present a selection of timeless favourites, along with some well known songs from stage and screen, a little comedy and songs for everyone to join in with.
SCHOOLS APPEAL
Ribble Valley based charity Dan’s Trust, which was established in 2012, raises funds to support ongoing research into SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) via Imperial College in London as well providing support to promising and aspiring youngsters throughout the area, in a whole range of academic, sporting and performing arts disciplines. Trustee Gary Bagshaw helped establish the charity following the death of his younger brother Dan from a sudden cardiac arrest, whilst competing in a Triathlon in Hong Kong. In 2016 the charity started its Make a Difference Awards across secondary schools in Ribble Valley and last year extended it to Hyndburn, Blackburn and Burnley. However, Dan’s Trust would like to engage more with the local community and encourage greater uptake from schools in the area. For more information on the charity, its work and its fundraising go to: www.danstrust.org
KENYA CONNECTED
Refurbished laptops have been put to good use in a Kenyan school, following a recent trip by members of St James’ Church and School in Clitheroe to their twin church and school, in the city of Eldoret. Eleven people made the 6,700 mile journey, taking with them all the technical equipment needed to get King’s Highway School connected to the internet. Money and laptops donated by local businesses and individuals were put to good use and, for the first time, children at the school were able to browse sites such as Wikipedia and connect with St James’ School back in Clitheroe via Facebook. “We take the internet for granted,” explained Mark Dyer, one of the leaders of the trip. “But in Kenya only people who can afford a smartphone can get online. We wanted to help the next generation there to begin to access the web. It is a powerful tool for business, commerce and work in general.”
To see a video go to: www.stjamesclitheroe.co.uk
If you have any charity news please contact: jan.woolley@live-magazines.co.uk
