Fundraising boost for restoration of Chesterfield Canal
Chesterfield Canal Trust has announced a funding drive to create new community spaces alongside the canal in Staveley, and has received support from AVIVA.
The firm is supporting the Canal Trust’s appeal via its ‘Save Our Wild Isles Community Fund.’ As part of this, the Canal Trust has launched a Crowdfunding appeal and is encouraging people to help boost the area’s regeneration.
AVIVA will kick start the appeal with £500 and will give the Trust £2 for every £1 it raises, up to a maximum of £15,000. This means that if the Trust can raise £7,500, AVIVA will turn it into £23,000, or up to £24,500 with Gift Aid.
The appeal only lasts for six weeks, finishing on 19th December. See full details on the appeal and make a donation.
Restoration works will take place at Hartington. At present there is rough ground and steep slopes, but over the next 18 months a new Trans-Pennine Trail bridge and a new lock will be built, and the canal will be restored.
The Trust wants to create a great canalside environment for people and wildlife around the new bridge, giving nature a head start and creating a suitable setting for the new lock which will be built early in 2025.
It needs to raise funds for 60 Trees (some semi-mature), 200 metres of hedging, 12 benches (including four wheelchair-accessible ones), native wildflowers, signs and information boards, accessible paths and landscaping works.
The new information boards will encourage people to learn about and help tackle climate change and the planting will take this into account.
Rod Auton, Secretary of Chesterfield Canal Trust commented: “Everyone I meet, from local dog-walkers to long distance cyclists, wants us to create proper, well-managed, and safe places to go and enjoy nature and meet friends etc. In return for your donations, we volunteers are committed to help manage these new spaces in future years for the free enjoyment of all.”
Find out more about the restoration of Chesterfield Canal, and other regeneration projects taking place in Staveley.
Chesterfield Canal Trust supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
