AN annual dinner served-up a tasty amount for Manorlands.

The Beef and Beer event raised a whacking £47,443 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

Guests enjoyed a meal featuring prime sirloin beef, donated by Dovecote Park near Pontefract, and cask ales from Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor.

Following the meal, at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, a live and silent auction were staged. Lots up for grabs ranged from memorabilia signed by tennis star Roger Federer and Sir Roger Bannister, to brewery tours and luxury racecourse packages.

Wielding the gavel was professional auctioneer Richard Waring.

Master of ceremonies was retired Timothy Taylor chairman Charles Dent, and guest speaker was journalist and cricket correspondent Michael Henderson.

Also speaking was Michaela Mitchell, whose late husband Chris received care from Manorlands.

She described her experience with the hospice and how it “made such a positive impact to our lives during the most difficult of times”.

“Manorlands was able to step in at a time when we really needed it,” she added.

“I can’t describe the relief I felt when they were there, and the reason I’m where I am today is because of the hospice’s involvement. I will always support its work because I know just how vital it is.”

The dinner is organised each year by the Manorlands Challenge Committee and it attracts support from numerous businesses – long-time backers include Keighley-based construction firm RN Wooler, AWB Charlesworth Solicitors and Armstrong Watson accountants.

Since it was formed 15 years ago, the committee has raised more than £1 million for the hospice.

Other events it spearheads include the hugely-popular Coniston Challenge Day, in which teams take part in a range of activities at the Coniston Hotel in Coniston Cold.

Manorlands fundraiser, Harriet Wood, pays tribute.

“The challenge committee plays a vital part in the setting-up of these events which have raised such an amazing amount for the hospice,” she said.

“Julia Lister, in her role as chairman, is a huge support and remains as committed as ever to these great events.

“I look forward to working with the committee as we start again for next year!”

Mrs Wood also praised Timothy Taylor brewery and Dovecote Park for their “incredible” support of the dinner, other businesses that had given backing and John Ashton for providing photography.

Manorlands supports patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families at the hospice and in the community, across an area covering Craven, Airedale and Wharfedale as well as parts of Bradford.

All services are free to patients and their loved ones, but it costs £9,000 a day to keep the hospice doors open.

Only a small part of the cost is covered by statutory funds.

Most of the funds have to be raised through voluntary donations.

A Manorlands spokesman said: “We combine specialist medical care for managing pain and other symptoms, with other emotional, practical and spiritual support.

“People might stay with us to receive inpatient care for a short time, or a longer stay.

“We can offer the same services and care to you as a visitor, by using our day services, if you are comfortable and supported at home and prefer to stay there. We will also visit you in your own home.

“Our experienced doctors, Sue Ryder nurses, care assistants, physiotherapists and occupational and complementary therapists all work brilliantly together to support patients.”

For more details about the hospice ­– and how you can get involved in supporting it – visit sueryder.org/how-we-can-help/manorlands-hospice.