Charity fundraisers handed over cheques totalling £11,500 to a host of community groups at their annual presentation evening.
Some 18 organisations received cash at the presentation evening organised by Barnard Castle charity The Clique at the town’s Workingmen’s Club.
Matthew Croom, chairman of the group, said: “We had all of our regular sports teams and clubs which we support year after year, but we also welcomed two new organisations – the Taekwondo Club and Middleton Rainbows, who we will support annually going forward.
“We handed out in excess of £11,500, but along with our fleet of mobility scooters and some other great causes we’ve helped throughout 2024, The Clique has distributed about £19,000.
“It’s all down to the generosity of the fantastic community that we are all part of. Their continued support allows us to continue going after all these years.”
Cheques for £500 were handed to Barnard Castle Band, Teesdale Special Olympics, Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band, Middleton-in-Teesdale Cricket Club, Tiger Sharks, Staindrop Scouts, Raby Cricket Club, Barnard Castle Scouts, Middleton Rainbows, Taekwondo Club as well as Barnard Castle golf, football, table tennis, boxing, cricket and rugby clubs.
Teesdale Opportunities for Disabled Youngsters and the Great North Air Ambulance were given bumper cheques of £1,500.
The volunteer group, which raises money throughout the year with a variety of events such as their hugely popular It’s a Knockout event, are planning something a little different for 2025.
Mr Croom explained: “Next year marks the 50th anniversary of our unique charity. We’ll be organising a big family orientated day with live music, food stalls, children’s entertainment, offering something different back to everyone for all their support.
“The fine details are yet to be decided but I guarantee it will be fantastic value for money event on Saturday, August 9, on the rugby pitches.”
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
