The event at York’s Hotel Du Vin on Monday evening stemmed from the fundraising year of former Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Chris Cullwick and former Sheriff of York, Sue Hunter.
More than 30 events took place across the last civic year, raising a total of £47,201 for their nominated charities – The Snappy Trust and the York Women’s Counselling Service.
Announcing the final total, Cllr Cullwick thanked all of those involved across the year in planning and hosting the various events.
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In addition to thanking individuals and businesses for their support, he also praised Sue Hunter and their fundraising volunteers for their support.
“I know that I’m not the only one who is sad that it’s all over – but we had some fun along the way too and if you can put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ then so much the better.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support two genuinely local charities, both of which are not so small that they can’t take advantage of the opportunity – but nor are they so large that the cash raised won’t make a massive difference!”
(Image: YO1 Radio)
The fund-raising events included a ‘cook-off’ at the Grand Hotel; a ‘Fish & Ship Cruise’ on the Ouse with City Cruises; a Murder-Mystery at the Mansion House – where the Lord Mayor was the unfortunate victim; a golf day, civic dinner and a ball at the Guild Hall.
YO1 Radio also donated funds from their third-place success at the 2023 Rotary Club Dragon Boat Races and several collections were made thanks to York Racecourse.
Proceeds from the fundraising were shared equally between the two charities and cheques were presented at the event.
Maggie Kelly, Chair of the Snappy Trust, said: “This money represents a fantastic opportunity for our kids. Very often they don’t get the same chances and opportunities that their peers get because of their disabilities – but this money will level the playing field. It will enable our kids to get to do things that seem quite ordinary to most, but to them are extra-ordinary”
Susie Braithwaite, Chair of Trustees at the York Women’s Counselling Service, said: “This means so much to us. We’re not a big charity and we operate ‘hand to mouth’ in lots of ways. This will give us a chance to breath. Not only that, but the last year has given us the opportunity to make connections across the city that we wouldn’t otherwise have been able to make.”
York Press media partner, YO1 Radio, has promoted the work of the group across the year.
Managing Director, Wayne Chadwick, said: “It has been an honour for the radio station to support and be part of the fundraising group over this last year. We are very proud of the whole team and I must pay tribute to the civic group – Chris, Joy, Sue and Nigel – for their inspiration across the year.”
Entertainment at Monday’s event at Hotel Du Vin came from YO1 Radio’s ‘crooner’ Chris Marsden and Holly May Violin, with the team from Social8 at Ate O’Clock providing canapes.
Closing the event Cllr Cullwick said that, whilst he would miss working with the team, he was very much looking forward to supporting the current Lord Mayor, Cllr Margaret Wells, and Sheriff, Ms Fiona Fitzpatrick, over the next year.
