Wedding present lists usually include toasters, kettles and canteens of cutlery.
But a Huddersfield bride and groom asked their guests to donate to a charity in lieu of wedding presents.
And now they have raised £1,000.
Suzanne Barton – now Dyda – is corporate partnerships fundraiser for Hollybank Trust, Mirfield. Her new husband Ian who works for the Department of Work and Pensions in Leeds, is also a volunteer for Hollybank.
The kind-hearted pair, who wed at the Pennine Manor Hotel on Scapegoat Hill in August, decided to waive the usual wedding presents asking instead for donations to Hollybank, which cares for and educates children and adults with profound and multiple disabilities.
The Golcar couple were stunned when the total nudged past £1,000 including gift aid.
Julie Shaw, the trust’s head of fundraising who went to the wedding ceremony and celebrations with her husband Tony, said: “We are so happy for Suzanne and Ian.
“Suzanne is absolutely dedicated to raising money for Hollybank so it was no surprise that she asked her guests to donate instead of buying them gifts.
“They are both so selfless and their guests are extremely generous. We are all delighted that they have raised money for us in this way.”
Suzanne and Ian, who were both members of the Hollybank cycling team which took part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride in June, asked Hollybank resident Debbie to create their wedding invitations and other stationery.
Debbie used assistive technology (AT) to access computer software to be able to choose the designs for her stationery.
The money raised as a result of the wedding will pay for new cameras for the AT Department which will enable all Hollybanks’ residents and students to enjoy photography.
Suzanne said: “We all loved Debbie’s designs and we included some info about Hollybank with the invitations.
“We felt we didn’t need anything for presents so asked for donations instead – but never expected to have such a generous response.
“My friends and family are fantastic, thank you to everyone.”
