On Friday night (5 May 2017) the Rotary Club of Horbury and Ossett Phoenix Charitable Trust enlisted the help of Wakefield Trinity and England Rugby League legend Neil Fox MBE to present over £8000 worth of donations to local community groups from the wider Wakefield area. Each recipient has applied for an award from the Trust following publicity in the Wakefield Express earlier in the year.
In opening proceedings, held at Horbury Working Mens Club, Rotary President Elect Neil Kirkham explained that the money awarded had been raised by the club through a number of events over the past year but mainly through the Horbury Show and the Santa's sleigh collections.
In total 29 individuals and groups applied for awards of up to £500 each which if all were granted far outstripped the amount available. A rigorous selection procedure brought the number of successful applicants down to 20 with awards of between £250 and £500 being made. In summary Junior sports teams, youth groups, dance troupes, a youth band, a school, two senior citizens groups and Friends of Horbury Lagoon, from Thornhill to Gawthorpe, and from Grange Moor to Wakefield Centre, reflects the geographic spread and variety of organisations receiving awards. Only one award was made for the benefit of an individual and that was to purchase an ipad with special learning applications to benefit Frankie Goswell aged 3yrs of Netherton. When Frankie went forward to collect his award with Dad and Mum there were many member of the audience wiping tears from their eyes.
Photos:
1. All recipients representatives with Neil Fox, and Rotary Club organisers.
2. Frankie Goswell with Mum and Dad and Neil Fox
