MORE than 17 charities and community groups have benefited from the proceeds of the 2009 Forest of Galtres Festival, with £4,500.00 being divided up among worthy causes in our area.

The funds were raised at the sell-out August Bank Holiday event in Crayke, which was headlined by The Bluetones and attracted 2000 people.

St Monica's Hospital in Easingwold received £600 this week - Barry Sanderson (pictured), the chairman of the Friends of St Monica's, was presented this week with the cheque by Helen Morris (left), Galtres Festival charities co-ordinator, with staff nurse Becky Fitzgerald (centre). This is the fifth year the Festival has supported St Monica's, donating thousands towards new beds and vital medical equipment. "We're very grateful," said Mr Sanderson. "The donations from the Galtres Festival make a real difference to improving the hospital here."

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance received a further £600 this week, as did the teenage cancer wards at St James' Hospital in Leeds - adding to the pot raised by Huby Brownie Guiders Lynn Wagstaff and Belinda Channing.

Other smaller donations included:

£200 for two acoustic guitars for SNAPPY - to be used in music evenings for people with special needs.
£200 for Sutton on the Forest Playgroup, for educational toys.
£125 for Crayke Gardening Club, for a food growing project at Crayke School
£150 for Easingwold Brass Band, towards new uniforms
£100 for the Friends of Stillington School
£130 for the York Arts Barge, towards a new performing arts centre
£230 for Crayke School, towards new staging equipment
£50 for Sutton on the Forest Village Hall
£100 for Global, for equipment for community projects involving disadvantaged young people
£150 for Crayke Playgroup and Toddlers, for new equipment
£50 for Crayke Rainbows
£322 for York Samaritans
£300 for Crayke Sports Club

Said Festival Trustee James Houston, "We're delighted to be able to provide this level of support for community groups and charities. The Festival relies heavily on sponsors and volunteers, and it's down to them that we're able to make substantial grants to local groups. "

"We can't wait for next year's Festival," added Mr Houston, "It promises to be bigger and better than ever!"

If you'd like to apply for a share of the proceeds from next year's Festival please email info@galtresfestival.org.uk and we'll send you details of our funding policy and how to apply.