The End of an Era: Our partnership with Skipton Craven Rotary 🫶

This month, we say a fond farewell to one of our closest partners, as Skipton Craven Rotary Club closes its doors tomorrow 30th June 2026 after 37 years of service to the local community.

Over those 37 years, the Club raised nearly £1.35 million for charitable causes – from local community projects to disaster relief and the Rotary Foundation. In their first year they raised just £817; last year alone, they raised over £84,000. That trajectory is a testament to the dedication and generosity of their members.

Many of us will know the Club best through its much-loved traditions: the annual Santa Sleigh, which has toured the streets of Skipton and surrounding villages for up to 12 evenings every December for 27 years, and the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run, which saw 2,500 people of all ages take part in its 16th event, raising £73,000.

Our own connection with Skipton Craven Rotary has been a special one. In March 2023, the Club signed a Partnership Agreement with Skipton Step Into Action -a partnership built on sharing resources, volunteers, and fundraising. Since then, SSIA volunteers have joined the Club on the Santa Sleigh as it wound its way through Skipton’s streets each December, and together we have hosted the Step Into Summer tea parties, bringing people together and tackling loneliness in our community. The tea party held in May was the last we share with them. 

Club President Brian Stott reflected: “We are… immensely proud of what we have achieved over 37 years. On behalf of all our members, I thank the people of Skipton and the wider Craven community for supporting us.”

The good news is that the Great Skipton Santa Fun Run will continue under the direction of Skipton Rotary, and the Club’s Charitable Fund will remain open for the next two years for those seeking support for a worthy cause in the Skipton and Craven area.

From everyone at SSIA – thank you, Skipton Craven Rotary. It has been a privilege.