Vicar Lane charity draw raises £376 for The Pilgrim Bandits
Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is thrilled to announce that their draw in aid of The Pilgrim Bandits held on Sunday 18th August raised an impressive £376.25 for the charity.
The draw, which saw tickets for a unique chair, upholstered in a replica of the uniform of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE and sold via Total Giving for just £5 per ticket, took place during the Chesterfield Motor Fest. The lucky winner was thrilled with their win but has decided to pay it forward by donating it back to Ben’s charity – ‘Ben’s Challenge’. Ben and his friend Roberta were also collecting for Ben’s Challenge throughout the day.
A second chair was presented to Ben Parkinson himself, as a token of the Centre’s appreciation and to honour him for his achievements, sacrifice and service to our country.
A surprised Ben said: “I’m overwhelmed by the chair and the generosity of Chesterfield people. My chair will take pride of place in my front room.”
Vicar Lane went on to present a further two items – one, a framed montage for Ben’s mother, Diane Dernie, who was unable to attend due to ill health. The montage includes a description that reads:
“I am a soldier but not in a war
I never shot a gun or seen all the gore.
But I go into battle each and every day
from my intended purpose I shall not stray.
There are people who need me, this I know
and from this experience I will grow.
If the truth be told, I’ll say it first
I need them more, It’s them I thirst.
They don’t always like what I have to do
in time though, I think they’ll gain a clue.
It does get tough, I will not lie.
Sometimes it’s easy to just stop and cry.
Am I a soldier? Yes! You can call me that.
But you’ll never see me in straight combat.
Those who know me call me by another.
What was that word? o’h yes, it was mother.”
The second framed montage was presented to Ben’s best friend Roberta Drewitt, who has been raising funds for Ben’s Challenge.
The inscription reads:
“We few. We happy few.
We band of brothers, for he today
That sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother.”
Roberta was overwhelmed by this gift as it was one with very personal meaning. Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane will go to Ben’s home to present the frame to his mum at a later date.
Roberta said: “I cannot believe this I’m sat here smiling so hard. Ben and I are overwhelmed at the support we received on Sunday 18th August at Vicar Lane. We had an amazing time meeting and chatting to the people of Chesterfield. We raised just over £1700 for our charity ‘Ben’s Challenge’ which is just fantastic. We were very surprised that the winner of Ben’s chair has re-donated back to us and cannot express our appreciation and gratitude to them. Ben has decided to auction the chair off at one of our charity events at the end of this year and all monies raised will be donated to Bens Challenge on behalf of the kind people of Chesterfield. Thank you all.”
The draw was a fantastic way for members of the public to show their support for a cause that does so much to help those who make such great sacrifices to serve and protect our country and for one lucky individual to walk away with a unique, statement piece of furniture for their home that is sure to be a talking point for years to come.
The Chesterfield Motor Fest was a hugely popular event, with lots of people visiting Chesterfield to see the cars, enjoy luxury car rides, enjoy live music and explore the many stalls on offer.
Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “We’re really impressed by the generosity of the people of Chesterfield in our charity draw. The popularity of the event is testament to the appreciation of the people of Chesterfield for the likes of Ben, who sacrifice so much.”
