Ilkley Round Table is urging good causes to come forward for a share of local fundraising money, as it prepares to put tickets for its ever-popular beer festival on sale.

The 2014 Ilkley Beer Festival will not take place until February 7 and 8, but organisers are again expecting a high demand for tickets when they go on sale at the King’s Hall, at 10am, on Saturday.

The festival is the Round Table’s biggest annual fundraising event, generating tens of thousands of pounds which goes to good causes.

But the Ilkley group is keen to encourage more people and organisations to come forward and request money from its surplus funds.

Recipients of funding this year have included Wharfedale Scout Sailing Club, given more than £4,500 towards the cost of a new sailing dinghy to help develop the skills of young able-bodied and disabled people.

The boat was named ‘Sir Geoff’ – the nickname given to local fundraising stalwart and honorary life member of the Round Table, Geoffrey Vere MBE, who died this year.

More than 20 other individuals, organisations, festivals and events have benefited from Ilkley Round table funding in 2013, including Ilkley Stroke Club, local sports clubs, Ilkley Good Neighbours, barefoot water skier Charlie Long, Addingham Civic Society, Ilkley Film Festival, and Cantores Olicanae.

The Round Table has now bought three defibrillators for the town: Clarke Foley Centre, Christchurch and Ilkley Playhouse and has just agreed to support the acquisition of a fourth for the village of Nesfield, on Ilkley’s popular cycle route to the Dales.

It has also pledged money to the Round House Project at Ilkley’s Nell Bank outdoor activity centre, and to Ben Rhydding Scout Hut towards the planned rebuild of its headquarters.

But the organisation would like hear more ideas for spending on local causes.

Anyone who would like to request funding, or knows a cause which could benefit from funds, is asked to contact communityservice@ilkleyroundtable.org.uk.

Help is available with the application to anyone requesting funding for the first time.