The arrival of the Olympic Torch in Skipton in 24th June has led to the cancellation of the popular Broughton Game Show – a major fundraising event for two of the region’s wholly voluntary rescue organisations, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) and Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO).
Between them, the organisations risk losing over £20,000. Traditionally the show has been held on this date at Broughton Hall for the last 32 years.
“With lots of family events planned for the town centre, we felt this would have a massive effect on show attendance”, said David Aynesworth, Chairman of the show committee. “A change of date was considered but a number of attractions and traders were already booked up for alternative weekends. It was decided that putting on a sub-standard show could be detrimental for following years and we can’t risk not covering our substantial outlay. So we have reluctantly decided to cancel this year’s event.”
Since the first show in 1979, around £300,000 has been raised for the two groups. It has only been cancelled twice in the past, in 2001 because of foot and mouth disease, and in 2009 after flash flooding. Without the event, there is a call for the public to make an extra effort to support the teams’ other fundraising events over the next 12 months to help make up the vital funding required to support these invaluable voluntary organisations.
“This is a major setback for us”, said Jack Pickup, Chairman of CRO. “It will contribute substantially to our running costs, which we will have to examine carefully to see if cutbacks can be made. We will be looking at other ways of raising funds.”
One such initiative has been setting up a “Friends of the CRO Group”. Details of this can be found at www.cro.org.uk where online donations can be made directly. Both UWFRA and CRO are staffed solely by volunteers and offer a vital service. Both organisations were called out on Christmas Day– to a bad caving accident where a man suffered serious leg injuries after being hit by a falling boulder underground; and to find a missing walker. All three Dales teams were out on Christmas Day.
No matter what, both teams will continue to provide the rescue service, wherever and whenever it is needed. They would appreciate your support to ensure that they can.
For further details or to offer support please contact: www.uwfra.org.uk or www.cro.org.uk
