Riddlesden local Chelsea Jones organised a scarecrow festival for her community to raise funds for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust’s Neo-Natal Unit after daughter Lillian spent time on the Unit when she was born.
The Riddlesden Community produced 30 scarecrows for the festival running from Bradford Road to Barley Cote Road. Maps were available from Riddlesden Post Office for everyone to get involved.
Chelsea Jones said:
“After starting my own family this year, I wanted to create something different for families to do in the community as well as bringing everyone together. As children, we always went to a scarecrow trail with my grandparents, and we loved it!
“I chose the Neo-Natal Unit at Airedale to fundraise for as Lillian stayed there after she was born as she was unable to breathe on her own. Their care, patience and support during the hardest time of my life was incredible”.

[Chelsea Jones with daughter Lilian]
The winner of the festival was a Shaggy from Scooby Doo themed scarecrow (pictured) with prizes for the winners donated from Baildon Camping Cabins and The Beauty Lady. St Marys Church, Riddlesden Green Connection and United Reformed Church also helped with the running of a fun day held as an additional fundraiser for the community.
Laura Hepworth, Community Fundraiser for Airedale Hospital & Community Charity said:
“Thank you to everyone for coming together and getting involved with the festival. We loved seeing the creativity of the different entries, everyone really put their own individual stamp on the event.
“As a community, we’re really proud to have raised £870 for the Neo-Natal Unit. We’re already making plans for next year’s event, bring on 2025!”.
Airedale Hospital and Community Charity are hosting “The Grand Ball”, a fundraiser for the Neo-Natal Unit Friday 8 November at East Riddlesden Hall. The ball is set to be the charity’s event of the year with live music, a fundraising auction and Your Skipton’s Nick Hancock as the evenings host. Tickets can be booked via the charity team on 01535 294870, by emailing Anhsft.charity@nhs.net or online at www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/58771?

Family appeal for help finding cat after seven weeks missing in Gargrave
Man arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs in Skipton
£20m regeneration programme launched for Keighley
Skipton Three Peaks challenge raises £8,000 for dementia charity
Keighley shops can keep selling alcohol despite licences being revoked
Police search for Keighley man following Skipton burglary
Beer and Gin Festival returning to Glusburn this weekend
North Yorkshire hospices warn of cuts and closures as funding crisis deepens
Silsden care home launches appeal for handmade clothes protectors
Keighley named best town in Yorkshire for second year running
Long-running Skipton craft shop to close as owners retire
Airedale Seniors Collective celebrates successful Silsden gathering
Skipton fish and chip shop sponsors junior football team
64 arrests made in North Yorkshire Police's biggest ever operation
Skipton BID celebrates Silver Gilt success at Yorkshire in Bloom Awards
Skipton BID rejects claims town is struggling
Sugden End tip reopening approved after £400,000 funding row
Over 500 Afghans resettled in North Yorkshire as 23 households await new homes
Craven College students join campaign to reopen Skipton-Colne railway
Cyclist dies following collision on A59 near Skipton


