OSCAR winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy has donated £5,000 to Skipton Rotary Club to be given to worthy causes during the coronavirus crisis.

The writer, who grew up in Glusburn and who attended the now closed Malsis Preparatory School, and Ermysted’s Grammar School, Skipton, gave the money in recognition of the ‘life changing’ experience the rotary club helped him achieve in enabling him to take part in an expedition to Greenland with the British Schools Exploring Society as a teenager.

The rotary club has given £2,500 to Skipton Food Bank and the other half to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope.

“Skipton Rotary’s support gave me a chance to participate in a life-changing experience,’” said Mr Beaufoy. “This is a chance to give something back.”

Mike Thornett, president of Skipton Rotary, said: “Mr Beaufoy approached the club regarding his donation and following discussions with club members it was agreed to support the valuable work of both the local food bank and our local hospice. I would like to thank Mr Beaufoy for his generosity and thoughtfulness.”

After Ermysted’s, Mr Beaufoy went to St Peter’s College, Oxford. In 1997, he earned an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay for The Full Monty, and in 2009, he won an Oscar for the best adapted screenplay for Slumdog Millionaire

Phil Sage, co-ordinator of Skipton Food Bank, said the donation was very welcome and would be used to buy food to help the currently 150 people it is providing for every week - more than double its usual amount.

She said the foodbank was in great need of food and although was not encouraging people to come directly to the bank itself at St Andrew’s Church, to protect volunteers, donation points were still up and running at several locations, including Morrison’s and Tesco supermarkets in Skipton, and Booths in Settle. She also had the help of 120 volunteers since the lockdown.

Ms Sage said the foodbank was now helping people who were approaching them directly, and not via agencies, and was welcoming their calls. Visit: www.skiptonfoodbank.org

Lizzie Procter, hospice director at Manorlands Hospice, said: “Thank you very much to Skipton Rotary Club for their incredibly generous donation towards our emergency appeal. These are uncertain times and we still urgently need the support of the local community to help us to continue to provide our services beyond the summer.”