Business people donate £22K to youth causes

BUSINESS people across Kirklees and Calderdale have presented more than £22,000 to two young people’s charities after a phenomenal fundraising lunch and auction.

Hundreds of people in the local business community came together at the annual Kirklees and Calderdale Charity Lunch (KACCL) to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, fundraising and a threecourse meal.

The money raised during the fantastic fundraiser has been split equally between two charities – with £11,000 being donated to Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice at Bradley and £11,000 going to Orange Box, a young people’s centre in Halifax offering facilities such as rehearsal rooms, performance space and a recording studio alongside counselling and support services.

Some 265 guests at the KACCL held in December at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, were treated to entertainment from magician John Danbury and The Orange Box Choir in Association with Square Chapel, which was formed especially for the event by KACCL committee member Jamie Eagleton.

Tickets for this year’s KACCL have almost sold out already.

It will take place on December 6 at the Cedar Court Hotel – with all funds raised again going to Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and Orange Box.

Steve Crowther, chair of KACCL 2018, said: “Handing over the cheque to Orange Box and Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice is definitely the highlight of the KACCL experience.

“It just makes it so worthwhile seeing how much the money raised means to these worthy causes.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how the funds will benefit the charities and can’t wait to raise even more money for them at this year’s event.”

Jamie Eagleton, development officer at Orange Box, said: “We are so grateful to KACCL as the funds will ensure the continuation of our choir and will enable it to grow, inspire and change the lives of young people in Calderdale by helping them to build confidence, and develop relationships and skills.”

The KACCL organising committee is made yup of representatives of local businesses across the region, which includes JR Group UK Ltd, Stafflex, Chadwick Lawrence, Faith PR, Eastwood & Partners, Brug Consultancy, Whimsical Events, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, Hellomint, Cedar Court Hotels and Crowther Accountants.