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The Grace Gardner Trust
Grace Gardner was a Northallerton resident who devoted her life to the helping the old and less fortunate. She came from a family renowned for their industriousness and public spirit. Grace’s brother, Dudley George, was a pilot in the First World War who flew the dangerous path along the Western Front, later being awarded a silver medal for valour by the King of Italy, and the Military Cross. Tragically, his son, and sole heir to the Gardner family was killed in the Second World War. This led Grace to leave her property to be used in a benevolent manner, to what was then the Urban District Council, later becoming Northallerton Town Council. The property was subsequently sold to raise funds which have been dedicated to maintaining the well being of the elderly of the town, as Grace did in her life.
In recent years we have contributed to a range of different activities. We have offered discounted swimming tokens to make sure our elderly residents are keeping fit at an affordable rate, as well as taking part in a joint venture with Age Concern to introduce an exercise class in the Town Hall. We are hoping to reintroduce this, this year.
On top of this, in the past we have organised an Art Exhibition, made sure that the elderly have access to the library services through taxis and coaches, purchased cookers for financially struggling families and made generous donations to sheltered accommodation so there can be day trips for the residents.
Every year in the Town Hall, we put on a Christmas party with entertainment from the Amateur Variety Company, food, and presents. This means that we can pass on the festive spirit to lots of elderly people!
The clerk to the fund has recently retired so at the moment we are in the process of organising lots more fun, and inclusive events for the elderly of Northallerton - watch this space for more information!
Pictures of the Christmas party