Thank you from Friends of the Friarage Trustees

What a difference a year makes!  Last Christmas we let you know about our ambitious eye appeal.  In June this year, we were able to announce we had reached our target at the Yorkshire Dales Classic Car trail at Bolton Castle.  With their wonderful donation of £3000, plus an unexpected legacy donation, we were able to present the Ophthalmology Department’s Clinical Director with a cheque for £200,000!  This appeal was a huge effort for our little charity and kick started by our volunteers’ significant £20,000 donation.  Whether you gave your time, donated an item, baked a cake or bought something from us, your support helped the first patient have their eye operation in Northallerton at the Friarage in October.  A real achievement.

The Shop

We were sad to say goodbye to Tony Young as Shop Manager but very pleased that he agreed to become a trustee.  In July of this year, we appointed Donna Mason to replace him.  Donna has wasted no time in getting to know our shop, our volunteers and our staff.  Since her arrival, she has overseen the re-introduction of the trolley service, taking highly appreciated supplies to wards and departments, and giving patients some welcome independence and contact with the outside world. We now have a thriving band of Friends Knitters who are keeping up with customers’ demand for personally knitted items. Under Donna’s initiative a regular dedicated book stall takes place next to the shop and a successful raffle is up and running representing a fantastic team effort, both from generous local businesses who contributed prizes and from you, the volunteers.

Administrative Staff

Alongside Celia and Carri, we welcomed Anna Broadley to the administration team in May. Anna brings with her a wealth of experience of working with volunteers and is enjoying getting to know everyone and supporting our events.

Ongoing support for the Friarage

Since concluding the Eye Appeal we’ve worked with members of the hospital staff to understand what is needed next.  With the advent of the new Friarage Surgical Centre, changing technologies and the increasing demands on the NHS there is always more to do. We will be able to update on this in the first part of 2026.  We are seeking to extend our reach and this year attended county agricultural shows to raise awareness of Friends of the Friarage.  This work will continue next year as we look to increase our visibility towards our catchment in Richmond and the Dales.

Over the Christmas period, trustee Lyn Proud will once again lead a team of volunteers preparing and distributing gifts to the hard-working hospital staff and all those patients who are in hospital on Christmas Day.

Election of Officers

At our November meeting, we held the annual election of trustees and officers.  The current team comprises: Tony Walters (co-chair), Susan Watson (co-chair), Steve Jamieson (treasurer), Derrick Brearley, Jim Dixon, Alexe Finlay, Bettina Howard, Nick Palmerley, Lyn Proud, Jennifer Scribbins, Tony Young.  Please contact any of us if you have any ideas that would help us in our work to enhance patient care at the Friarage hospital.  

On behalf of all the Friends of the Friarage trustees, we’d like to thank you for all that you do for the charity.  If you’d like any more information please get in touch with Celia Curry, our administrator, via any of the routes shown in the footer to this letter.

We hope you and your families enjoy a very happy Christmas and we look forward to working with you again in 2026.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Walters                           Susan Watson

Co-Chair                                  Co-Chair