….serving Harrogate & District Registered Charity No. 235857
News
November 2023
Many thanks to Alan (A.L.S.O. Installations) for organising and completing our new entrance gate shown in the picture.
Additional thanks to Alan and also Knox Sawmills, who helped complete the security fastening of the new Garage doors, behind the new gates, as a gift to Happy Wanderers.
Frank and Mary Ellis retire after more than 20 years as trustees
Frank
Mary
Can you recognise several famous others in the group?
Happy Wanderers is run entirely by volunteers and Frank and Mary epitomise everything that is special and vital to enable Happy Wanderers to support the older and disabled people in our area, who have special transport needs.
For over twenty years Frank and Mary have been HW charity trustees. Frank holding the offices of charity secretary and charity vice-chairman and Mary being a volunteer driver, travelling thousands of miles around the district and further afield, often accompanied by Frank. In addition both have been non-stop fundraisers, raising thousands of pounds for Happy Wanderers through street and supermarket collections.
We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to this wonderful couple and acknowledge their knowledge, skill and dedication in leading and representing the charity through significant change in recent years.
Although disappointed to be losing them from the trustee group we were delighted and a bit relieved to receive the following message from Frank and Mary:
"Over the years we have met some lovely people and made many friends. We do not intend to entirely sever our relations with the Happy Wanderers, we will still be happy to help with collections, cake baking and other fundraising activities whenever possible.
Frank and Mary."
Thank you both and we look forward to offering a bucket and eating a cake with you when our lives begin to get back to normal in the coming months.
Andrew Jones MP paid a visit to the Harrogate based charity Happy Wanderers to offer congratulations on their 60th Anniversary of providing transport for older and disabled people in the Harrogate area.
Meeting at the garage housing the two bright red Happy Wanderers mini buses Andrew learnt a little of the history of one of the oldest Harrogate based charities and how last year over 300 trips, covering 15,000 miles and carrying nearly 2,000 passengers were undertaken by volunteer drivers.
And to finish his visit Andrew joined George Hosie, one of the longest serving Happy Wanderers drivers together with other volunteers, for a drive to Wesley Chapel for a cup of tea.
Ready to go with Andrew is George Hosie and other HW volunteers, Mike Greenberg and Janet Allen who came along for the ride
Testimonials
E-mail 16/11/23
Dear Happy Wanderers Team,
I wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the exceptional commitment and support you've consistently provided in transporting attendees to our Parkinson's events. Your dedication to ensuring smooth and reliable transportation has not gone unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact you've had on our community.
The seamless coordination and reliability of Happy Wanderers have significantly contributed to the success of our events. Your continued support is invaluable to us, and we look forward to another successful collaboration. Once again, thank you for your unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of our attendees.
We appreciate your efforts and the positive impact you bring to our events.
Best regards, Jenna Bond - Carers' Resource Care Coordinator - Harrogate
"Many thanks to Michael for safely taking our group to The Pine Marten for a delicious festive lunch and enabling us to enjoy a viewing of the Christmas lights on Knaresborough High Street on our return home. Also thank you to all connected with the Happy Wanderers for your wonderful support, enabling us to go out and about with our group, some of whom would not otherwise be able to get beyond our four walls. We have loved every minute of it! Long may this fantastic service be available!
Kind regards, Anne at The Friendship Group".
December 2022
"On behalf of all the ladies from Hill View Manor, thank you to Happy Wanderers for providing the transport to The Millstones. We had a most wonderful day out which was declared a great success by all who attended.
Nigel was great, most helpful and reassuring particularly to those in wheelchairs who were feeling slightly apprehensive about the outing. I don’t think we gave him too much “aggro”!!!. Anne." 19th May 2022
Received this from sister of young man we take to Southport every year for his annual holiday.
"Happy Wanderers well deserve all the success you get, with all your hard work, your self-drive and determination, never putting yourself first, just always giving, to make peoples life that much easier.
Good luck. Carol"
March 2022
Note from Knaresborough Lions who were the first group to use HW buses since lockdown began in the beginning of 2020;
"A really lovely afternoon at Harlow Carr last Thursday. The trip went really well and was a big success. Some of last weeks group simply wanted to enjoy being amongst the outside world again and sat at the little tea shop outside enjoying the day and chatting. The Happy Wanderer buses were really well organised and equipped for us regarding COVID requirements and we all felt safe on board as everyone was double jabbed , had masks on with the windows open and were at half capacity. One of the highlights of the day for me was one of our ladies breaking down as we drove over the river in Knaresborough and then into Harrogate, thinking she’d never see either again due to COVID and her own health issues. The ride itself on the bus was a big milestone for some of them.
Thank-you Happy Wanderers".
Best wishes for 2020 to you and everyone at the Happy Wanderers - we love working with you
Kate
Kate Rogata
Director
Supporting Older People