A CHARITY steak night organised by Coniston Cold farmer Michael Winchester at The Curious Fox Restaurant in Skipton’s Chapel Hill raised a record £2,250.

It was the fifth steak night organised by Michael in aid of in Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, bringing the total raised for the Oxenhope hospice to around £7,250 across all five events.

Michael farms suckler cattle and is a director at CCM Auctions in Skipton, with the 65 people who supported the annual fund-raiser again predominantly members of the local agricultural community.

Steaks were kindly donated by Bradford-based Ralph Pearson Wholesale Butchers the Beef Specialist, a regular purchaser of quality prime cattle at Skipton Auction Mart, whose grandsons, Robert and Joe attended the event.

CCM auctioneer Kyle Hawksworth was again on hand to conduct a charity auction, which in itself realised £1,200. Going under the hammer were surplus steaks, alongside a meal for two and overnight accommodation at The Curious Fox, run by Lee Sharville and Janette Maud and recently crowned best hosts in Channel 4’s ‘Four in a Bed’ programme.

Michael thanked all who supported the event, with Andrew Wood, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice, adding: “All credit to Michael for again organising this highly successful fundraiser, which further cements our long-standing relationship with the local farming community and CCM Auctions, whose valiant efforts continue to help us provide expert care both at the hospice and out in the community.”