Business leaders and regional investors alongside an excited audience of friends and supporters of regional grant-maker Two Ridings Community Foundation, came together at Birdsall House, Malton to hear six small grassroots charities pitch at a Yorkshire version of Dragons’ Den.
Hosted by the Sheriffs’ of North and East Yorkshire, the charities – from all corners of the region – came away with £37,300 between them, with the amounts awarded determined by the Dragons after hearing each charity make a passionate 4-minute pitch.
Each group told the story of the support their organisation gave to local people and what they needed funding for right now.
After a passionate presentation from their 17-year-old beneficiary Chloe, Beverley Cherry Tree Community Centre was awarded £7,000 plus an Audience award of £500 to fund activities for their Youth Club as well as venue costs for activities for the young people they work with on the Cherry Tree Estate.
Chloe finds the youth club a real escape from her everyday life, as a carer for her Mum, and has built up her confidence and self-esteem because of it. She certainly shined at Dragons Den. The Community Centre also run a community pantry, a credit union, an out-of-school and holiday club, a low-cost preschool and a free advice service.
Jo Ramsay who runs Beverley Cherry Tree Community Centre said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to come away with £7,000 to go towards our young people having meaningful and fun activities that enhance their lives. We love seeing the young people we support grow in confidence and gain life skills alongside really enjoying themselves.”
Each of the six Dragons – David Kerfoot, Nanci Downey, Thomas Martin, Alistair Needler, Paul Waine and Richard Page – friends and supporters of Two Ridings donated to support the charities, match funded by Two Ridings.
The High Sheriffs covered all the event costs. Dragons’ Den was generously hosted by James and Cara Willoughby at their beautiful home Birdsall House near Malton.
