A DISTRICT care trust's charitable arm is reflecting on a "fabulous" year.

Better Lives, the official charity of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, says it has "a lot to be thankful for this Christmas" on the back of support received from individuals and businesses over the past 12 months.

Funds raised have boosted the work of the trust – which provides community and mental health, dentistry and specialist learning disability services across the district – and enhanced patient care.

Better Lives stages a series of fundraising activities throughout the year that the public and business community can get involved in.

Events include an annual golf day and bucket collections, and this year saw an inaugural imagination ball.

The ball – at the Walton View Hotel, Drighlington, in October – raised over £21,000.

It was sponsored by Enable 2 and hosted by TV presenter Tanya Arnold and former rugby league player Robbie Hunter Paul.

The 230 guests enjoyed food by My Lahore, a raffle, auction and entertainment from Martin Gold and Punjabi Roots.

People also took part in events such as the Great North Run in support of the charity.

Catherine Jowitt, head of charity and volunteering at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, says: "I would like to say a huge 'thank you' to everyone – for donating at our supermarket and pantomime bucket collections; for sponsoring, hosting or taking part in our events, or supporting friends and family members who have run, walked and crafted for the charity.

"The generous support of the community and local businesses has helped to raise crucial, much-needed funds throughout 2023, which have enabled the trust’s teams to purchase new resources and equipment and develop projects.

"Everything we purchase and do sits outside the core budgets of the NHS and simply wouldn’t be possible without people's generosity.

"It has been a fabulous year and we have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas.

"Freemasons charity funding helped support patients on our dementia ward who are now benefitting from a new sensory room. The facility has enhanced the healing environment for patients, stimulating the senses and evoking positive emotions.

"We also applied for – and received – funds from Sport England and Awards for All, for specialist equipment for patients at the trust’s dementia assessment unit and Lynfield Mount Hospital, and within learning disability services."

For further information about Better Lives, visit bdct.nhs.uk/better-lives-charity