The organisers of the annual Forest of Galtres Festival have this week handed out £3,000 in donations to local charities and groups.

The fourth Festival, held this year at Huby in August, was hailed a great success and was attended by around 1000 people, enabling the organisers to raise a good total for worthy causes.

On Monday £750 was handed over to St Monica's Hospital, Easingwold, to help buy special profile beds for patients (pictured here).

Mr Houston said: "It's great that the Galtres Festival can raise a good amount of money to benefit local causes, as well as being a terrifically good fun event."

Maggie Myers of Sutton Playgroup, who was one of the others at the presentation to receive her cheque, said: "This gift from the Galtres Festival is hugely appreciated as it enables the playgroup to buy the extras that help with the children's education. We will buy books and CDs that will bring some cultures from around the world to Sutton on the Forest."

Pictured (left to right): Barry Sanderson (chairman of the Friends of St Monica's), Christine Andrew (treasurer of the Friends of St Monica's), nurse Helen Buck, Fiona Ashton (charities secretary, Galtres Festival Committee), James Houston (Galtres Festival director).

Galtres Festival 2008 donations

Friends of St Monica's Hospital £750
Yorkshire Air Ambulance £750
Huby Playing fields Committee £200
United Response, Easingwold £180
Sutton on the Forest Primary School £150
Huby Cricket Club £150
Huby Youth Club £150
Friends of Stillington School £150
Sutton on the Forest Playgroup £150
Huby School £150
York Samaritans £144
Easingwold Girl Guides £40
Stillington Under Fives £40

Notes to editors

For more information about the charities and donations please contact Fiona Ashton 01347 811909

For more general information about the Festival please contact Festival Director James Houston  01347 811194

More pics are available of the presentation of cheques to other beneficiaries from the list above.