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Birstwith boy's pumpkin trail to support Yorkshire Cancer Research

Friday, 23 October 2026 at 07:55

Harry McIntyre (left) organises an annual charity pumpkin trail in Birstwith.

A young fundraiser is organising a charity pumpkin trail in Birstwith to support Yorkshire Cancer Research.

11-year-old Harry McIntyre has been running the village event since the Covid pandemic, inspired by his great-grandpa’s commitment to volunteering and giving back to the community.

Over the years, the trail has raised money for causes including Harrogate Foodbank, Alzheimer’s Society and Birstwith in Bloom.

This year, Harry, who attends Ripon Grammar, has chosen Yorkshire Cancer Research, which is his school’s charity of the year.

His mum Georgina McIntyre, a Reception class teacher at Belmont Grosvenor School, said:

“He is inspired by his Great Grandpa who championed volunteering and giving back to the community - and lived to be 108 years old!

"[Fundraising] obviously did him some good!”

Last year’s fundraiser supported Birstwith in Bloom, with the money paying for flowers planted in the community garden and used for the Birstwith Show princesses.

Dale Stores in Birstwith is once again supporting the event by selling trail maps and treat maps.

Georgina said:

"We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helps make the event possible, from donating sweets for the children’s treat bags to creating the displays.

“A special thank you goes to The Dale Stores and, this year, Big Strong Girls’ Club for volunteering to support Harry’s fundraising efforts.

"Without everyone’s generosity and support, we simply couldn’t run the event.”

Big Strong Girls Club is a women’s fitness studio based in nearby Burnt Yates, offering personal training and small group sessions.

This year’s chosen charity, Yorkshire Cancer Research, is based at Hornbeam Park in Harrogate and funds research and services to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Its work includes clinical trials exploring new treatments, alongside cancer exercise programmes and stop smoking support for people across the region.

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