Six firms of solicitors working in Ryedale took part – Crombie Wilkinson and Pearsons & Ward in Malton; Hague & Dixon and Ellis Lakin in Pickering; Kitching Walker in Kirkbymoorside and North Yorkshire Law in Helmsley.

All of the solicitors wrote at least one will and most wrote several.  Pearsons & Ward in Malton made a fantastic effort on our behalf, with fourteen clients writing wills and giving a donation.

It has been very heartening in difficult times to have such great support from both the solicitors who gave their time and their clients who gave donations.

It was especially encouraging that several people gave donations in excess of the amount we had asked for and also spoke appreciatively of the support that they or friends and family had had from the charities involved in the Ryedale Charities Together partnership.

In addition to raising money through donations, we hoped that the publicity generated might help to raise local people’s awareness of our small, purely Ryedale charities and encourage them to think about leaving a ‘local legacy’ to either the partnership or individual organisations.

If you would like any further information about leaving a legacy or giving a donation to Ryedale Charities Together – or any of its member charities – please contact:  Rachel Popham – Tel: 01751 431284

Or email – rachel.popham@btinternet.com

However difficult it is to think about, everyone should make a will if they are not to leave a legacy of problems for their family.

You could do this at a special rate – and at the same time support eight worthwhile local charities.

A number of solicitors in Ryedale are making a wonderful gesture of support.

They will be giving their services free and will write your will in return for you giving a donation to Ryedale Charities Together.  [There is a minimum amount for this].

When you are thinking of making or up-dating your will, please remember all the disadvantaged people in Ryedale you could help by leaving a legacy to a local charity.

How to take part in the scheme

• All you need to do is contact one of the solicitors listed below, between October 17^th and October 23^rd, to book an appointment, quoting ‘Ryedale Charities Will Week’.
• Appointments must be booked in Will Week – but you can make an appointment for any time at a later date that suits you and your solicitor.
• Please note – if the will is more complex than normal, solicitors may have to make some charge for the additional work.
• You need to give a donation to Ryedale Charities Together.

The minimum amount for this is £85 for a single person and £135 for a couple.

The Solicitors in the scheme are –

 Pearsons & Ward,  Malton.  Tel: 01653 692247

Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, Malton.  Tel: 01653 600070

 Hague & Dixon, Pickering.  Tel: 01751 475222

Ellis Lakin & Co, Pickering.  Tel: 01751 472121

North Yorkshire Law, Helmsley.  Tel: 01439 770207

Kitching Walker, Kirkbymoorside. Tel: 01751 431237

For further information phone Ryedale Charities on 0845 519 2575

 Our charities desperately need support from their local community if they are to continue their vital work.  You can help both them – and your family – by taking part in this scheme.

READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

Donate your used books NOW!

Ryedale Charities Together  can use them to raise funds that will enable us to continue supporting disadvantaged local people.

Take your used books to -

Ryedale Voluntary Action, Community House,  Wentworth Street, Malton       

 Next Steps Community Café in Norton                                

Ryedale Carers Support, Tinley Garth, Kirkbymoorside                     

Helmsley Walled Garden

Or telephone 0845 519 2575

At the February meeting of Ryedale Charities Together the committee were delighted to hear that Helmsley Walled Garden would be rejoining the partnership after an interval of two years.

The charity provides Horticultural Therapy, support and training opportunities for those with learning, physical and emotional difficulties and also for people with more temporary needs, like bereavement or recovery from trauma.  Offered as an alternative therapy, the programme takes people ‘back to basics’ to give a connection to the earth that modern day living has ignored.

The recently appointed manager, Mike I’ Anson said, “There are some real challenges and opportunities ahead for the voluntary sector.  We are looking forward to working with RCT.  I hope together we can make a real difference”

Six charities formed the original partnership – and have worked together continuously for almost nine years; Ryedale Carers Support,  Acorn Community Care, Ryedale Special Families, Sight Support Ryedale, Next Steps and Ryedale Voluntary Action.  Working throughout Ryedale they support Carers, families of children with disabilities, people with mental health problems, those who are blind or partially sighted, people with learning or physical disability and provide services and representation for all the local voluntary and community sector.

Two years ago these six were joined by Ryecat, which provides community transport for our area.

There are now eight organisations in the partnership, providing both an invaluable network of support for disadvantaged people throughout Ryedale – and valuable assistance for each other.

In November 2009 they ran their first Will Week.   Ryedale Area Committee funded the cost of publicity and the scheme was generously supported by local solicitors.

RCT aimed not only to raise funds, but also public awareness of our small, purely Ryedale charities and encourage people to think about leaving a local legacy.

During the course of the Will Week, Mrs K [‘Bunty’] Dimond, who was very keen to benefit the Ryedale community, made a will leaving £100,000 to be divided between the seven charities in the group.

Probate for this was granted at the end of 2010.

This amazingly generous gesture has made an enormous difference to the charities involved – not least, in raising morale after recent news of substantial funding cuts.

It has eased the pressure on all the charities and allowed one to obtain match funding.  It has removed from Ryedale Carers Support some of the enormous stress of obtaining the funds needed to manage the 130 volunteers providing regular and much-needed support to carers throughout Ryedale.  Finally, it should enable Ryecat to fill a notable gap in their current provision and purchase an adapted vehicle in order to develop a wheelchair-accessible car service for both volunteer driver and self-driven respite journeys.

At the latest RCT meeting all the members toasted [in non-alcoholic drinks!] the memory of a wonderful, public-spirited benefactor.