A MAJOR Keighley awards scheme which has distributed nearly £100,000 over more than 30 years has revealed a radically new format for its 2018 presentation evening.

The team responsible for staging the Danny Ryan Awards, which was founded 33 years ago in memory of a former Holy Family Catholic School deputy head, has joined forces with a group of ex pupils from this school.

It means the next Danny Ryan presentation night, starting at 7.30pm on Saturday March 10, will be a school reunion as well as an awards ceremony.

Since their inception the awards have dished out sums of money to children and youngsters who have shown courage in the face of serious and chronic illness.

Danny Ryan Memorial committee members Michael Devlin and Sean Gilligan said they were pleased to have linked up with the former pupils, who have previously arranged a successful reunion at Victoria Hall in aid of Manorlands.

They said they were also keen to attract new, younger people to play an active role in the awards organising committee.

Mr Gilligan, who is himself a former Holy Family deputy head teacher, said: "At our meeting before Christmas, members of our Danny Ryan Memorial committee were enthusiastic about linking the annual presentation awards to a Holy Family School reunion for past pupils.

"We're now planning what we hope will be a really successful and enjoyable event.

"Two live bands have been booked to provide the entertainment, including Pat Jordan with his mixture of Irish and Country music and Frank Farkas with his band, called The End.

"Frank is a former Holy Family pupil, and will be playing a selection of cover songs from the charts."

The presentations will take place at 9pm, with four young people to each receive a cheque for £500.

Mr Gilligan added: "In the past this has proved to be a really special celebration for our young award winners and their families.

"Eileen Ryan, Danny's widow who is now in her 90th year, has given great encouragement to this annual event, and she will make the presentations."

He said people wanting more details about the evening, or who would like to buy tickets, can visit the event page on Facebook, called Danny Ryan Memorial Dance Holy Family School Reunion.

Tickets are also available at Holroyd's Estate Agents, in North Street, Keighley.

Mr Gilligan said: "There are many pictures of Holy Family School groups that have been posted on the Facebook event page.

"We hope this will generate support and help us to create a memorable evening not only for our award winners and their families, but for all those who'll have the opportunity to be present."

The four 2018 Danny Ryan Awards winners are expected to be announced within the next two weeks.