A TEAM of charity fundraisers handed out cheques totalling £6,500 to organisations, sporting clubs and groups in Teesdale as part of their annual presentation evening last month.
Barnard Castle-based The Clique, founded 47 years ago, welcomed representatives of 15 groups to their fun-filled evening at Barnard Castle Workingmen’s Club on Saturday, November 26.
Matthew Croom, chairman of the Clique, said: “We have already given out £3,500 during the year and we are giving out £6,500 tonight.”
Excellent weather helped make the Clique’s main fundraising event for the year, It’s a Knockout, a roaring success, Mr Croom added.
He also paid tribute to local businesses and individuals, who have supported the group’s endeavours once again
Referencing the group’s fleet of mobility scooters and wheelchairs, loaned for free to residents in need, he added it was not just youth organisations that benefitted from their fundraising activities.
He said: “We don’t just look after the youngsters; we also look at helping everyone in the dale who needs it.”
Television personality and antiques expert David Harper presented the cheques making for an interesting evening with his namesake, property developer and Clique member David Harper, also in the room.
Teesdale Opportunities for Disabled Youngsters (TODYS) were given a bumper cheque for £1,400, with the volunteers at Making Memories, a group that organises regular sessions for those living with dementia receiving £1,000.
Barnard Castle Band, Middleton and Teesdale Silver Band, the town’s rugby club, junior and senior football teams, amateur boxers, the table tennis club, cricket club juniors, junior golf club, Tiger Sharks swimming club as well as Barnard Castle Scouts and Staindrop Scouts all received cheques for £300.
