After 37 years of service, the Skipton Craven Rotary Club will close on June 30, 2026.
The Skipton Craven Rotary Club will close on June 30, 2026 after supporting the local community and raising nearly £1.35 million for charity.
Known for initiatives like the annual Santa supermarket collections, the Santa Sleigh and The Great Skipton Santa Fun Run, the Club can celebrate many notable achievements over the last 37 years, supporting not just Rotary International but also the local community in Skipton and surrounding villages.
In its first year, the Club raised a grand total of £817, equivalent to about £2250 today.
Last year, they raised over £84,000.
And, they have donated £1.35 million primarily to local charitable causes, but also to disaster relief and the Rotary Foundation
The Club’s fundraising efforts have become a tradition in Skipton and the surrounding areas.
The Santa Sleigh has toured the streets of Skipton and surrounding villages for up to 12 evenings every December for 27 years.
Beyond fundraising, these activities are deeply valued for connecting with the community and bringing joy to the festive season.
The first event took place in November 2010 and the 16th Great Skipton Santa Fun Run saw 2,500 people of all ages take part, raising a whopping £73,000.
In March 2023, the Club signed a Partnership Agreement with Skipton Step into Action a partnership built on sharing resources, volunteers, and fundraising which perfectly embodies the Partnership motto.
Brian Stott, the President of Skipton Craven Rotary said:
“While it is sad that Skipton Craven Rotary Club will cease to exist after 30th June, due to an ageing and dwindling membership, we are nevertheless immensely proud of what we have achieved over 37 years.
Our legacy will always be the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run, and I am pleased that it that will continue, under the direction of Skipton Rotary.
On behalf of all our members at Skipton Craven Rotary, I thank the people of Skipton and the wider Craven community for supporting us over the last 37 years.
Our Charitable Fund will remain open for the next two years, to those who seek support for a worthy cause in the Skipton and Craven area.
We have been proud to be part of Rotary International and even prouder to be a part of the Skipton Community.”
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