Local charities are once again set to benefit from Harrogate Christmas Fayre thanks to operators Market Place Europe and Harrogate Borough Council.
The Christmas fayre returns for its second year as part of Destination Christmas, co-ordinated and supported by Destination Harrogate, the destination management organisation for Harrogate district.
Keen to ensure local charities can raise their profile and generate funds for their good cause the borough council have been working with Market Place Europe – one of the UK’s leading and award-winning market operators – to provide a stall at the market from Friday 2 December until Sunday 11 December.
Artizan International, Carers Resource, Dementia Forward, Girlguiding North Yorkshire West, Harlow Hill Men’s Shed, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) Community Charity, Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP), Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre, Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation, Samaritans of Harrogate and District, and Ripon Walled Garden are all set to use the stall to either sell products they produce or use it to provide more information to the thousands of visitors who are expected to visit.
Carol Chapman, from Samaritans of Harrogate and District, said: “We are always delighted with the heartfelt support of our local community and especially at times when we are able to connect with them during events such as this.
“Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year for people, for lots of different reasons which may trigger feelings of isolation, loneliness and depression to name a few. Samaritans volunteers want to raise awareness that they are here for emotional support on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year, which of course includes Christmas day, to listen and support anyone who may be struggling.
“I’d like to say thank you to both Market Place Europe and Harrogate Borough Council for their generosity and I look forward to meeting people at the Christmas market.”
The charities were identified through the council’s LOCAL LOTTO initiative. THE LOCAL LOTTO was launched as a way to raise additional funds for voluntary and community groups across the Harrogate district.
Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said: “Christmas is a time for giving, so I’m delighted that between ourselves and Market Place Europe we can once again provide a stall at Harrogate Christmas Fayre to 11 Harrogate district charities and good causes.
“The Harrogate district would be a very different place without the activities and support that is provided by our local charities and the generosity of the many volunteers across our community.
“Building on the success of last year, Destination Harrogate is due to be even bigger and better. And with the thousands of people expected to visit the town, I’m sure these charities will be able to raise their profile and generate some funds for their worthy cause, at a time when it is needed the most.”
Harrogate Christmas Fayre will take place on Cambridge Road, Cambridge Crescent and Cambridge Street, and will offer an eclectic mix of enticing stalls to complement Harrogate’s independent retailers, restaurants, bars and boutique stores.
Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place Europe, said: “We’re really excited to be working with Destination Harrogate and returning this year with a bigger and better Harrogate Christmas Fayre. There will be an exciting variety of traders that will offer a wonderful experience that all the family can enjoy.
“We’re also honoured to be able to offer a stall to Harrogate district charities who I’m sure will benefit from the additional footfall we are expecting.”
All new for 2022 is an outdoor ice skating rink, an après ski bar offering seasonal treats and refreshments and a giant 32m Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the town. A traditional carousel, together with children’s fairground rides, will add to the Christmas attractions in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens, along with the popular Candy Cane Express that will transport festive revellers around Harrogate town centre.
Little Bird Made artisan market, will also take place on 3, 4, 10 and 11 December in Valley Gardens. On offer will be jewellery, crafts and gifts from local traders, adding to the unique Christmas shopping experience in the heart of the town.
For more information please visit: www.visitharrogate.co.uk/christmas
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