AN ANNUAL beef and beer dinner has served-up a tasty amount for Manorlands.

The event, attended by more than 240 guests, raised a whopping £44,000.

Cash was coined-in through ticket sales, a lucky dip raffle, quiz and auction.

The dinner was organised by the Manorlands Challenge Committee, which since it was set-up 13 years ago has raised nearly £950,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

"We are once again delighted with the success of the event – which has now become an important date on our fundraising calendar," said Rachel Cunningham, Manorlands' head of fundraising.

"We're so very grateful to the committee for its generosity, energy and support."

As in previous years, guests at the event – at the Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley, last Thursday (Nov 9) – enjoyed prime sirloin of beef donated by Dovecote Park near Pontefract and cask ales from Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor.

Master of ceremonies was Taylor's chairman, Charles Dent, and the hugely-successful auction was conducted by professional auctioneer Richard Waring.

Guest speaker was the Right Rev James Jones, former Bishop of Liverpool and chairman of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

The Right Rev Jones, who was knighted for his work with the families affected by the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, is now an assistant bishop in the diocese of York.

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

All care provision is free, but the hospice has to raise £2.1 million from voluntary donations every year just to maintain its services.

Manorlands – established over 40 years ago – not only provides specialist medical care to ease pain and discomfort, but offers patients and their families emotional support.

Last year its community nurse specialists provided over 2,700 home visits, nearly 200 people attended the day therapy unit and Manorlands' bereavement team received more than 1,380 phone calls.

For more details of how you can help raise funds for the hospice, contact the fundraising office on 01535 640430.