WITH trick or treating unable to take place this year community champion Sarah Brooke has organised an alternative for Ben Rhydding residents by creating the Ben Rhydding Halloween trail.

With the trail so far having over 100 houses due to take part and prizes supplied by Ilkley and Ben Rhydding businesses including Consumer Packaging Manufacturers Alliance, who have donated a £25 book voucher, and Key To Achieving Therapy Services Ltd, who have donated a fantastic sensory toy hamper, there are a range of categories up for prizes including ‘Best Street’ and ‘Scariest House’.

To help encourage as many residents to take part as possible, District Councillor Kyle Green has been able to provide a £100 grant through Ilkley Youth and Community Association to help them purchase equipment, while Ilkley Tesco has been fantastic at providing sweets for children as well as 50 pumpkins, with these goodies having been distributed to families wanting to take part by Ben Rhydding Primary School. Shoo Social Media have also been able to provide an online map of streets that are taking part. In addition to this, Sarah will be handing out physical maps this Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the parade of shops in Ben Rhydding on the Bolling Road between 10am and noon.

Sarah Brooke said: “Given the disruption children in Ben Rhydding have faced I wanted to do something to help give them something to do this Halloween and I’m delighted to have had such a fantastic community response to the trail with so many houses taking part!

“I want to thank those who have helped make this happen including Tesco, Shoo Social Media, Ben Rhydding Primary School as well as Councillor Green and would encourage anyone taking part in the trail to donate to our justgiving page which is looking to raise £500 for the Ben Rhydding Primary PTA.”

Explaining his decision to support the event by providing the £100 grant, Councillor Green said: “My own daughter has been hugely disappointed that Halloween is going to have no trick or treating or parties this year. In addition to this I am aware that for children and young adults the pandemic has been a difficult period of time and I am determined to work to provide as many opportunities as possible to children and young adults in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding to enable them to take part in enjoyable and Covid secure events. I hope many residents will join myself and my family in taking part in this trail and decorating their houses.”

For more information visit: facebook.com/groups/664244224199317/?ref=share and to donate justgiving.com/crowdfunding/benrhyddinghalloweentrail?utm_term=4jNRGR3nP