Helmsley church raises £2,400 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance

The festival attracted around 2,500 visitors from across the UK and from as far afield as Europe and Asia, underlining its growing reputation as a significant seasonal attraction in North Yorkshire.

The event took place against the backdrop of a major project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is enabling the renovation and conservation of the historic church building and the careful restoration of its Edwardian wall paintings.

Reverend Melanie Burnside said the festival was “a wonderful expression of community spirit,” adding that she was delighted the event could support both a vital regional charity and the long-term future of the church.

At a service on Sunday, January 18, Reverend Melanie Burnside and church treasurer Janet Curd, alongside Councillor George Jabbour, Chair of North Yorkshire Council and local councillor for Helmsley and Sinnington, presented a cheque to Kevin Hutchinson who received the donation on behalf of the charity.

Coun Jabbour said: “The annual Christmas Tree Festival is a major highlight for me every year, not only because it brings the community together, but also because of the funding it raises for charity.

“That is why I was over the moon when, back in October, I received an email from the Reverend Melanie Burnside saying that, as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is my charity of the year, the church had decided to support it as the festival’s chosen charity too.”

Kevin Hutchinson thanked everyone involved, saying the donation would help support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s life-saving work across the region