Charity benefits from Bed Race

The Great Knaresborough Bed Race has developed significantly in the last 50 years, and as it has done so the funds raised for local good causes have also grown. In 1975, £1,700 raised by the organisers and this was put towards the cost of a community mini-bus. Community centres, scout huts, playing fields and many other facilities have been built or improved with Bed Race money since then. On occasions there has been a nominated charity but more often funds have been allocated to charity accounts that support a range of good causes. Current organisers, the Lions Club, have a policy that at least 80% of sums raised go to local causes.

The organisers believe that Bed Race is used to develop up to £100,000-worth of funds each year between the teams, the Lions and other social and charitable organisation which get involved. Allowing for inflation, the event must have raised millions of pounds at today’s prices for local good causes. Quite an effort! 

In the last 12 months Knaresborough Lions have helped and supported many local causes. Below are just a few examples:

• Girl Guide Trips to Mexico.
• Outings for the Elderly.
• Christmas parcels for the Elderly.
• Knaresborough Town Council Christmas Lights Appeal.
• King James students.
• Families in need in and around Knaresborough.
• Children with learning and physical needs.
• Harrogate Homeless Project.
• Primary school children from the locality.
• Happy Wanderers new bus appeal (see photo).
• Disabled parking project for Knaresborough RUFC
• Nidderdale Art Trail
• NiddFest 2014
• Bike shelter at Chain Lane Community Centre.
• Trip to London for young carers.
• Holidays-at-Home, Gracious Street Methodist. Church
• Blind Jack Explorer Scouts
• Knaresborough Cricket Club
• Help at Home , Harrogate Easier Living Project.
• Orb Community Enterprise
• The Knaresborough Striders