ALMOST 120 children whose families have had a tough time this year will have the smiles put back on their faces thanks to the town’s volunteer group, Skipton Step Into Action. The group’s Christmas Elves appeal 2020 has provided 40 tailor-made hampers exclusively for clients of the organisation, Christmas gifts to 119 children and Christmas meals to 20 of its clients. The group said, ultimately, the appeal was created to bring ‘a bit of extra sparkle this Christmas’ for families and individuals struggling due to the pandemic. SSIA was inspired to do more to support families in the district after its effort in helping SELFA to deliver replacement free school meals over half term.
AROUND 150 people ‘did their own thing’ this year for the annual Santa fun run which due to restrictions was forced to be cancelled in its regular format. Organised by The Skipton Craven Rotary, the Great Santa Virtual Fun Run was a slightly different model, but still was great fun for those involved. Rotarian Colin Hargreaves, chairman of the organising committee said: “We were naturally disappointed to have to cancel this year’s event especially given that 2020 would have been the 10th year that Skipton Craven Rotary had organised the fun run. “We decided that, to keep the event in peoples’ minds, we would go ‘virtual’ and encourage the people of Craven to complete a 5k course in whatever way they wished, in aid of our designated charity Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, and other charities chosen by the participants.