Members of Bracken Ghyll Golf Club have raised £8,000 for Ilkley-based outdoor learning charity Nell Bank – while also volunteering their time to support its work with children and families.
The Addingham golf club chose Nell Bank as its charity of the year, with the money raised being used to buy new grounds maintenance equipment for the charity's 25-acre site. A trailer mower, powered push mower and range of power tools will allow Nell Bank to bring its grounds maintenance in-house, which the charity estimates will save around £9,000 every year. Nell Bank welcomes around 24,000 children each year, with approximately a quarter attending on a free or subsidised place. Dan Goodey, CEO of The Nell Bank Charitable Trust, said: “This is exactly the sort of partnership that makes a real difference. "The machinery will save us around £9,000 every year and gives us what we need to keep this huge outdoor space safe and looking fantastic for the children who come here. “What I have loved about Bracken Ghyll is that their support goes far beyond fundraising. "Their members give their time and share their skills, and that's worth every bit as much to us as the equipment itself. “Everything we do at Nell Bank is about children. "If this partnership means another child can explore a little further, or a family can enjoy a day together they might otherwise not have afforded, then it has achieved something really worthwhile.” The partnership came after Seniors Captain Simon Lawrence, Ladies Captain Judy Taylor and Men's Captain Martyn Fisher selected Nell Bank as the club's charity of the year. Members have since volunteered at the charity's Easter and summer events, which each require around 40 volunteers and welcome more than 600 visitors. Simon said: “Bracken Ghyll is a golf club, but it is also a community. "Nell Bank was a natural choice. “We know the money we raise and the time we give is going straight into making a difference here on our doorstep.” The connection between the organisations was made by Stuart Thomson, a longstanding Nell Bank trustee and Bracken Ghyll member who coordinates volunteers at some of the charity's biggest events. Members are also putting their individual skills to use, including Richard Beilby, who now maintains the charity's “Nellmobile” – an electric access vehicle which enables children with mobility difficulties and SEND to explore the site independently. Judy Taylor said: “Choosing Nell Bank felt like an easy decision. "Once people saw what the charity does for children from our local area, everyone wanted to help.” The two organisations celebrated the partnership at Nell Bank on Wednesday 14th October, when members of the golf club were able to see the new machinery in action.
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