THE DALES Recovery Appeal is within a whisker of raising £1 million for foot and mouth victims in just 14 weeks - a target which some sceptics dismissed as "impossibly high" at the launch at the end of June.

Total donations reached £980,000 this week, thanks to a stunning £100,000 gift from an ancient charity whose members, two centuries ago, included textile manufacturers in Upper Wharfedale, right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

The Wharfe Valley: charity begins at home

"This is a magnificent grant and, after the best part of two centuries, charity still begins at home," said appeal secretary Peter Marshall, OBE. The latest grant comes from The Clothworkers' Foundation, a descendent of one of the City of London's medieval guilds, which has attracted charitable donations over the centuries from members in the textile industry.

As Peter Marshall explained: "Back in the 18th and early 19th Centuries, before steam powered mills were built, there were many water mills on the upper reaches of the River Wharfe making textiles.

"Many of those mill owners would have been members of the Clothworkers' Foundation and contributed to its charities. So in a sense, their money is coming home at a most welcome time."

On the launch of the appeal in June, some critics argued that setting a target of £1 million was too high. Now, the appeal expects to reach - or better - that figure within weeks.

Says acting chairman Dr Brian Fisher: "There were many sceptics in the beginning. Even some members of the committee had their doubts but we argued that, if we failed to raise £1,000,000, we might get close. Now, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are almost there - it is a tremendous achievement.

"Although this is a matter for some celebration, however, we have discovered enormous hardship brought on by foot and mouth. We will be able to distribute every penny - and would still welcome further donations."

So far, the appeal has made grants of more than £250,000 to small businesses, individuals and voluntary groups. New applications are being assessed at the rate of some 30 a week.

The appeal is seeking further applications for grants from people in the area of the Archdeaconry of Craven, which spreads from Sedbergh in Cumbria to Denholme, south of Keighley, and west into the Trough of Bowland and the Ribble Valley.

Applications for grants, or donations of cheques made out to the Dales Recovery Appeal, should be addressed to: The Appeal Office, 76 Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley LS29 0PD or phone 01943 831660.