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Charity extends its services as it celebrates 50th anniversary

Tuesday, 9 September 2025 07:31

The over 90's party is one of the Ilkley and District Good Neighbours annual events

Ilkley and District Good Neighbours has marked its half century by holding a series of special events over the last twelve months, whilst at the same time extending its services for the community.

The latest event being planned is the annual Over 90’s Party, now in its 38th year, which will be held on 27th September.

“It’s set to be the biggest one yet with over 100 people expected,”

said the charity’s Chairman Ed Duguid.

“The Over 90’s Party has always been a popular occasion for many of the older people in our area, and has been well supported by local businesses and organisations. We would like to thank among others this year the legal company Walker Foster and the Ilkley Round Table for their financial support. Apart from our older residents there will be a number of dignitaries attending, and with music and good food should be an enjoyable time for all.”

As it celebrates its special anniversary the charity’s continuing aim to support independent living and improve the lives of older and vulnerable people in the community remains unchanged, but the need for its services has increased along with an ageing population. Fortunately through the awareness created by its 50th anniversary activities the community has responded positively, with contributions both in time and money, enabling the charity to maintain its regular services such as Befriending, Shop Assist and its popular Moving On Friendship Groups.

The contributions have also helped it extend its services and broaden its new Living With Dementia Project. As a result, there is now a twice monthly Dementia Café in Ilkley, a brand new Dementia Café in Addingham, and a dedicated Dementia Hub.

The charity recognises however that raising funds to deliver these special facilities is an on-going challenge. With rising costs and grant funding under pressure, the support of individuals and local businesses has, it says, become even more vital.

[The next over 90's party is on 27th September]

Chairman Ed Duguid added:

“ We want to be able to continue providing our key services to the local community, and I’m grateful to our trustees and staff who work very hard every year to raise the necessary funding to enable us to do this. This year has been a positive one in terms of donations and support, but we also know that we have to keep up our efforts every year to enable us to keep achieving the necessary level of funding.

“Sadly, pressures on Local Government have meant that the Bradford Council has now withdrawn two thirds of its funding for this coming year of 2025/2026. It means the task Ilkley Good Neighbours faces has become just that bit harder. However we are continuously grateful to the local community, as well as local businesses and organisations, who have kept faith with us over the years. The reality is that it increasingly appears that if we want to have essential services of this nature going forward, it will fall to individuals and businesses in the local community to help support them. We can only hope that the community recognises the significant good that our charity does, and continue as we face the future to support us.”

For further information or to make a donation to Ilkley Good Neighbours please contact 01943 603348 or manager@goodneighboursilkley.org.uk

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