Teams from all over North Yorkshire took part in a day of gruelling mental and physical challenges at Strensall Barracks to raise money for the blind and disabled.

A team from Nidd Vale Motors cross the rope ladder with balloons in their mouths during a fundraising day at Strensall Barracks, for Henshaw's Society for the blind

The event was in aid of Henshaw's Society For The Blind, which is based in Harrogate and provides support to 150 young people in the county, who suffer from visual impairment and a range of other physical and learning disabilities.

Teams of six, from organisations including Nidd Vale Motors, the college itself and the event sponsors, Wimpey Homes, took part in a programme of challenges, at Strensall's Queen Elizabeth Barracks, ranging from paintballing to mountain biking, tackling a 50-foot tower and aerial slide, to leadership and general knowledge exercises.

Wimpey Homes was the eventual winner.

Josephine Jackson, Henshaw's regional appeals manager, said: "We had an excellent day - the weather was amazing and the atmosphere was terrific."

She said more than £5,000 was raised on the day, and it will hopefully become an annual event.

The money will go towards supporting the full range of services carried out by Henshaw's, to help disabled young people live as independently as possible.

Mrs Jackson said: "We're very grateful to all the teams, especially as it was the first time we've done it.

"We'd like to thank the King's Division Recruiting Team at Strensall Barracks, who organised the day."

In addition to supporting the students who are residents at Henshaw's College in Harrogate, the society is currently raising funds to complete its residential Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, which currently provides work and training for 73 former students. They are able to live independently in 15 community houses which are run by the society in Knaresborough and Harrogate.

Mrs Jackson said that they had one house in which five deaf and blind young people were able to live independently, with support from Henshaw's staff.

"I'm still amazed by the achievements of these people," she said.

She stressed that funds were still urgently needed and if anyone wished to get involved with raising money for Henshaw's, to contact her at the college, on 01423 886451.

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