THE Ilkley Fat Face store turned their back on ‘Black Friday’ in exchange for raising money for local charity Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

The store based on The Grove in Ilkley, donated ten per cent of all profits in Black Friday week to charity, splitting the funds between the Fat Face Foundation and Manorlands Hospice.

Fat Face as a whole company took the decision not to take part in the discounting phenomenon ‘Black Friday’. This decision was taken as they felt strongly that discounting was not a sustainable model for UK retailers and that it wasn’t great for customers. As an alternative, they decided to make a statement against the discounting epidemic with the ‘Thanks for Giving’ campaign which was about donating rather than discounting.

Ilkley store manager Rosie Dorman said: "We were so excited to present a cheque to Manorlands Hospice for £655.12 from our week of fundraising and we want to thank all our customers for their support. Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice is a fantastic place, and we really love to support them as they serve a huge amount of people in the Ilkley area so we want to give something back to help them. Thanks to everyone who purchased something during black Friday week, as you helped to support us and them."

Karen Jones, fundraiser for Manorlands Hospice said: "We are so grateful to Fat Face store in Ilkley for their support again this year during black Friday week. It is the second year they have supported us with this, and we are immensely grateful for their ongoing support as it needed so much. The store are hoping to do some more fundraising to support us, as they know how much we need it, and I would urge customers to support them during this time. Thank you on behalf of Manorlands Hospice to everyone who supported this fundraising event."

Karen added: "Manorlands is a Sue Ryder hospice, based in Keighley, West Yorkshire. We’re here for people aged 18 and over living with conditions like cancer, heart failure and lung disease. we treat more conditions than any other UK charity in our hospices, neurological care centres and out in the community. We offer a range of support, from inpatient care in our 16-bed hospice to day services which help people stay at home longer and offer respite to carers. Our care is available to people living in Craven, Airedale, and Wharfedale as well as central, northern and western areas of Bradford. The community specialist palliative care nurse service in Wharfedale is solely provided by the Sue Ryder Manorlands Team, we need to support of the Wharfedale community to continue to provide these fantastic services."

If you would like to find out how you can support Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice with your time, or wish to donate, email: Karen.jones2@sueryder.org or ring the fundraising office on 01535 640430.