AN annual dinner has served-up a tasty amount for Manorlands.

The Beef and Beer event raised a whacking £43,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Ticket sales, a lucky dip raffle, quiz and auction coined-in the cash.

The dinner – at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley – was organised by the Manorlands Challenge Committee, which in its 14-year history has raised over £1 million for the hospice.

As in previous years, guests at the dinner enjoyed prime sirloin of beef donated by Dovecote Park – near Pontefract – and cask ales provided by Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor.

The Knowle Spring brewery’s chairman, Charles Dent, was master of ceremonies.

Speaker was General Sir Nick Houghton, former Chief of Defence Staff – head of the UK’s armed forces.

He is now Constable of the Tower of London and a cross-bench peer in the House of Lords.

The hugely-successful auction was conducted by Richard Waring, a professional auctioneer.

Rachel Binns, head of hospice fundraising at Manorlands, pays tribute to the organising committee.

“We are once again delighted with the success of the dinner which has become an important date on our fundraising calendar,” she said.

“For the Manorlands Challenge Committee to raise over £1 million in 14 years is fantastic and we are so very grateful for its generosity, energy and support.”

Manorlands provides palliative care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses living in Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale, as well as in areas of Bradford.

All its care services are provided for free, but only part of the hospice’s costs are covered by statutory funds.

Manorlands has to raise £2.1 million a year from voluntary donations to maintain the provision.

Last year, Manorlands’ Sue Ryder nurses clocked-up 2,867 home visits.

And the family support team made more than 1,400 phone calls to offer bereavement support to those struggling with the loss of a loved one.

Lizzie Procter, hospice director at Manorlands, said: “We support people through the most difficult times of their lives.

“Whether that’s a terminal illness or the loss of a loved one, we’re there when it matters.

“Our doctors, nurses and carers give people the compassion and expert care they need, to help them live the best life they possibly can.”