THE new High Sheriff of North Yorkshire will spend her year in office thanking all the small charities for being community lifelines during the pandemic.

Through her links with local charities, Venetia Wrigley knows just how much work has been done by volunteers and local groups during the pandemic and how much it has been needed.

Already a deputy lord lieutenant for the county, she was sworn in to her new Queen’s Representative post at a socially distanced ceremony at York Crown Court earlier this week.

She said: “After a very tough 2020, I am ever hopeful that 2021 will bring a semblance of normality for everyone.

“Restrictions allowing, my ambition is to meet and thank the representatives of the many small charities who have been a lifeline to the members of our community during the pandemic, particularly those who have struggled to feed their families, the elderly who have felt isolated and the homeless who were faced with a particularly cruel winter.”

Mrs Wrigley, of Ganton near Malton, is a trustee of the Two Ridings Communities Foundation which provides funding and support for small charities and organisations in North and East Yorkshire.

During decades of work in the voluntary service, she has sat on the grants committee of “Turn2Us” a national organisation providing help and support for those in need to get back on their feet and been closely associated with other charities. She is also active with other local organisations, including the Malton Open Day for racing stables.

The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner attended the ceremony hosted by the Recorder of York Judge Sean Morris.