Birthday BASH celebrates charity's work

The event for Brighouse and Surrounding Homeless was held at the Cedar Court hotel, Ainley Top, and was arranged by Trustee and director of Prego Italian Restaurant in Brighouse Lidia Shinwell.

“It gave me great pleasure to work with some incredibly kind individuals and companies who assisted in making this event the resounding success that it was,” said Lidia.

“I am very grateful for the generosity and benevolence of all involved that contributed towards the event in some way.”

The colourful evening raised £15,500 and included guests from Bash Local, the Mayor of Calderdale, Howard Blagbrough and mayoress Catherine Kirk, local companies and individuals.

Bob Bridgestock, patron for BASH, bestselling author and consultant to hit TV series Happy Valley, was co-compare with Mandy Taylor who is well known in the area for supporting charity events.

Mr Bridgestock said: “I have over 30 years experience working in CID in police and I believe that it’s a great partnership approach for the police to have a charity which is available 24/7 to assist with those, from every walk of life, who find themselves on the streets or requiring help.”

Alison Mitchell, chief executive officer and founder of BASH, also spoke about the role of BASH has in the community.

“In its first year as a registered charity Bash Local has helped over 150 people on the streets with food, drinks, clothing and support,” she said. “We have helped over 100 people by giving them food through our foodbank. We have also managed to rehouse 15 people in the area. Sometimes a person is in such a pit of despair when they come to us, they just don’t know where to turn or what services there are to turn to. At BASH we have the knowledge and experience to connect them.”