Chesterfield Champions provide support to the local community
Several businesses and organisations in Chesterfield are doing their bit to support the community.
A number of initiatives and fundraising efforts have been launched to support charities and local residents. Find out more in our roundup below:
Chesterfield Football Club launches ‘Feed Chesterfield Together’
Feed Chesterfield Together has been launched by the Community Trust as a joint venture with Chesterfield Locality Children’s Partnership (LCP). The aim of the campaign is to support local food provisions within Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.
Community manager Jayne Bacon outlined the new initiative, explaining: “It’s about helping local families through what’s going to be a difficult winter.
“Feed Chesterfield Together will raise funds to support existing food provisions such as food banks and distribution units to help and support vulnerable families in the town.
“We want to provide our support and help to feed the most vulnerable this winter as it’s going to be a tough time for everyone.
“We’re delighted with how things have gone so far. We began with a bucket collection at the last home match, raising £250 to begin with, which is a great start.”
David Mills, chair of the LCP, is proud that Chesterfield Schools and pupils have come together to support this crucial initiative. He said: “Schools have provided a platform for children and young people to support the most vulnerable families in Chesterfield.
“This demonstrates the tremendous positive contribution children and young people can make to their local community in a very challenging time.”
Jayne spoke about the importance of the Trust being involved with these sorts of projects.
“It’s absolutely vital for us,” she said. ”We are a community facility, and we want to be here for the people of Chesterfield when they most need help and support.
“It’s essential that we provide support to the most vulnerable in Chesterfield and help them in any way we can.”
Jayne also revealed that a warm space in the HUB will be made available for families over the winter. She said: “We will be opening the HUB from 5pm to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday, where the heating will be on and we will provide books, magazines and board games.
“It’s a space for people to stay warm and safe. Some of the Feed Chesterfield Together funds will be allocated to offering food and drinks in the warm HUB via Chester’s Den cafe.
“We want people who use the warm HUB to feel welcome, have fun, stay warm and have food available too. It’s vital for us to provide these opportunities and we really want to provide a safe space for families to make use of.
“It’s important that we open our doors. We are a community facility, and we want to open that up for people to use. We’re hopeful this will help a number of families.”
A GoFundMe page has been set-up for people who would like to make a donation to help the project. To access this, please visit www.gofundme.com and search for ‘Feed Chesterfield Together’.
𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 💙
Community manager Jayne Bacon outlined what the new initiative and spoke about the importance of the Trust being involved with these projects ⬇️https://t.co/5QWKNy3CsZ pic.twitter.com/Z3PVPnlO0X
— CFC Community Trust (@spireitestrust) October 19, 2022
Paperclip takes part in ‘Wear it Pink’ day
Paperclip has been ‘Wearing it Pink’ to raise monies for the charity, Breast Cancer Now. The ‘official’ day is Friday (21 October).
Each team member made a donation and Paperclip agreed to match the funds raised. 1 in 8 Women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime
Find out more on the ‘Wear it Pink’ website.
Kids Planet Sheepbridge creates accessible indoor pumpkin patch
Autumn is in full swing at the Kids Planet nurseries, and one nursery in particular has gone above and beyond in its pursuit to provide children with an accessible magical space to experience pumpkin picking.
The Kids Planet Sheepbridge team have created their own indoor pumpkin patch for the children to explore, truly bringing the outside in with hay, pumpkins, leaves, wheelbarrows, wellington boots, and more.
The children of all ages are using the pumpkin patch, and will be doing some pumpkin decorating and sensory activities with the inside of the pumpkins, working in line Kids Planet’s values of inspiring awe and wonder.
Lauren Poundall, Acting Nursery Manager at Kids Planet Sheepbridge, said: “We are thrilled with our indoor pumpkin patch. It was important to us to create this in order to give all children the opportunity to experience Pumpkin Picking, as sometimes these types of places are not easily accessible to all.
“We wanted to build an inspiring environment which would interest and spark children’s communication. Our Families have loved the Pumkin Patch and the children come into nursery asking to go and see the hay and the Pumpkins.”
Ashgate Hospice’s ‘Light up a life’ returns
Ashgate Hospice’s new-look Light Up a Life campaign has launched and the charity is giving the community a way to remember their loved ones during what can be a difficult time for many.
Supporters will receive a lantern in the post which can be personalised with a photo of their loved one and a special message in return for a suggested £20 donation.
They will also be sent an electric light to place inside their lantern and an invitation to join a special procession and remembrance ceremony in Chesterfield on the evening of Sunday 4th December.
The poignant 1.2-mile procession, which will start around 5pm, will bring walkers to the hospice at Old Brampton for a special remembrance ceremony in the beautifully lit gardens from 6pm.
The evening will include a touching reflection from local celebrant Jonathan Reeve, gentle live music and refreshments.
Jack Wood, Head of Fundraising at Ashgate Hospice, said: “Every year, Ashgate Hospice unites our community to remember our loved ones during this difficult time.
“But this year will be especially poignant as we will finally get to remember together, in-person, for the first time since the pandemic.
“We hope our Light Up a Life event will bring some comfort to families like Ali’s at such an emotional time of year.
“I hope you will join us at this very special remembrance event and help raise vital funds to support many more families when they need urgent care and support.”
Find out more about Ashgate Hospice’s Light Up a Life appeal at https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/light-up-a-life or by calling 01246 567250.
Chesterfield Football Club, Paperclip, Kids Planet and Ashgate Hospice support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire
