TRIBUTE has been paid to a company for its ongoing support of Manorlands.

Acorn Stairlifts has presented £12,100 from its latest fundraising activities to the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Since the Steeton-based firm began supporting Manorlands as a principal charity in 2012, over £130,000 has been coined in.

Andrew Wood, Sue Ryder community fundraising manager, says: "This type of ongoing support, year in year out, from a major supporter such as Acorn Stairlifts is essential and greatly appreciated.

"Faced with soaring costs, it gives us some level of confidence that we can continue to provide our services both at the hospice and in the wider community."

Manorlands has seen expenditure on its day-to-day running rise by a fifth over the past 18 months, with the cost of delivering an hour of care increasing from £21 to £25.

And the number of people needing end-of-life care is predicted to soar by over half by 2030.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

Only a small slice of its costs are covered by statutory funding, with most of the money having to be raised through donations and fundraising activities.

Acorn Stairlifts' latest donation included event sponsorship and proceeds from regular fundraisers such as dress-down days, raffles and bake sales, plus a charity bar at the company’s annual staff garden party.

Most recently, staff enjoyed free Christmas dinners from the company’s canteens, with donations encouraged for Manorlands.

Kate Gledhill, the firm's group human resources director, says: "Our locally-based staff are well aware of the excellent work that Manorlands does. We’re delighted to continue our support at a time when it’s needed more than ever and we would encourage anyone else who can help to please do so."

For further information about the hospice and ways of getting involved in fundraising, visit sueryder.org/manorlands

Manorlands' next major fundraising event is the Keighley 10k and 5k run and walk.

It takes place as usual on Mother's Day, which this year falls on Sunday, March 10.

Nearly 800 people took part in the 2023 event, and £20,000 was raised.

This year the routes will again start and finish at Victoria Park, and take in a section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath and East Riddlesden Hall grounds. The 10k also takes in Keighley Golf Club.

All participants will receive a bespoke T-shirt.

For further information and to enter the event, go to racebest.com/races/gaavy