Chesterfield people and businesses are continuing to work together to support charities and community organisations across the town.
Our latest roundup features fabulous fundraising initiatives, support for local community groups, and more.
Ann Fomukong-Boden, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “Chesterfield Champions are proud to support our vibrant community, and it is great to see businesses playing their part to help others through a wide range of initiatives.
“Our town is a great place to work and live, and one of the main things that makes Chesterfield unique is the closeness of its community.
“It is great to see Champions continuing this trend by supporting local people and charities, alongside raising the profile of our area.”
Take a look at the latest from our community of Chesterfield Champions below:
Hospice fundraiser raises record-breaking amount towards care
Ashgate Hospice’s biggest ever fundraising event, the Sparkle Night Walk, raised more than a record-breaking £340,000 for end of life care in North Derbyshire.
More than 3,400 people sported pink and flashing bunny ears at the 10km walk in Chesterfield on Saturday 22 June.
The total figure raised from the fundraiser, sponsored by NOCN, was a phenomenal £341,854– the most the walkers have ever raised after smashing the record of £317, 671 set last year.
The event will return for its 10th anniversary next year on 28 June 2025 – and supporters can register at a reduced rate of £8 until Sunday 11 August.
Director of Income Generation at Ashgate Hospice, Jack Wood said he was “incredibly grateful” for the support of the event’s participants.
“We are so overwhelmed that our amazing participants have once again raised such an incredible amount towards our care,” said Jack.
“To beat the record amount raised at our Sparkle Night Walk last year, only to do it again in 2024 is a testament to the dedication of our supporters.
“This could fund the care of one of the beds on our Inpatient Unit at the hospice for more than a year, giving patients 24/7 expert care when they need it most.
“We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and their support will go a long way towards funding end of life care and support for patients and their families across North Derbyshire.”
Plans are already underway for Sparkle Night Walk 2025, sponsored by Magpie Beauty, with super early bird tickets being sold now for a reduced rate of £8 until Sunday 11 August.
More than 1,000 people have already signed up to next year’s event, which the hospice hopes will be “even bigger”.
Jack Wood added: “This year’s Sparkle Night Walk might be behind us but we’re already working hard to make next year event better – you can register at our early bird pride for just £8!
“Will you come along to celebrate our 10th anniversary of the Sparkle Night Walk and help us break records for the third year in a row?”
The walk will take place on Saturday 28 June 2025 – sign up now on the hospice’s website.
BRM raises over £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support
Leading Derbyshire and South Yorkshire law firm BRM has raised a total of £202,424 since 2015 for Macmillan Cancer Support services at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital thanks to support from clients during its annual free Will months.
Now in its ninth year, the firm’s partnership with Macmillan enables people to make a Will for free during two months of the year. Instead of paying a fee to BRM, it was requested a voluntary donation was made to the charity, with a recommended contribution of just £75 per person.
The donation will go towards supporting people and their families who are affected by cancer across the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire region and will help the charity continue providing their vital care within the community.
Paul Berresford, Executive Director at BRM, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped support our free Wills month in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support since 2015.
“The funds will go towards the charity and help support them continue their much-needed services across the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire community.
“Macmillan is a charity close to our hearts and we’re proud to have worked alongside them for several years.
“It’s very important to have a Will in place, as it ensures that your affairs are in order and your loved ones are provided for so it’s fantastic to see so many people who have taken advantage of our offer.
“Thank you to those who have supported our charity campaign and thank you to our expert Wills team for advising our clients on their Wills.
Hannah Lumb, Local Fundraising Manager at Macmillan, said: “On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, we would like to thank BRM and their clients for their incredible support to the charity.
“£202,424 is an incredible amount raised and will help those affected by cancer across our communities.
“If it were not for our amazing supporters like BRM, we wouldn’t be able to provide the vital services across the region. As a charity, we do not receive government funding and 98 per cent of our income comes from the public.
“Sadly, the number of people living with cancer is growing every day and we want to reach and improve the lives of as many of those people as we can. We couldn’t provide our essential services without the people who support us.”
“Thank you again to BRM and their clients for supporting the free Will services month – we are so grateful for every single penny raised.”
For expert advice and guidance around writing your Will, visit: www.brmlaw.co.uk/solicitors-for-you/wills-probate/wills
Chatsworth introduces affordable tickets for people receiving universal credit
Chatsworth House Trust, the charity responsible for caring for the house, collections, garden, woodlands and park at Chatsworth, has announced new lower priced tickets for those currently receiving income support including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
The aim of the new tickets is to increase accessibility for, and engagement with those who may find cost a barrier to visiting, demonstrating the Trust’s continued commitment to making Chatsworth a place for everyone.
The tickets include access to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground and are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children aged 3-16 years, for those who are eligible.
Paul Hayes, Head of Visitor Strategy at Chatsworth House Trust, added: “As a charity that is dedicated to preserving Chatsworth for everyone to enjoy, accessibility is one of our main priorities, and we are always looking at new ways to remove barriers to visiting.
“This year we have a programme of events around the theme of Celebrating Childhood, so it’s fantastic to hear that so many families are already benefiting from the new tickets.
“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience Chatsworth if they would like to, and we hope these tickets will allow even more people to do just that.”
Universal Credit tickets are available for those who currently receive one or more of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
The tickets are only available to purchase online in advance, and proof of eligibility is required at the entrance on the day of your visit.
Universal Credit tickets are available to book on a first come first served basis and may sell out on busy days.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/book-tickets/universal-credit-tickets/
BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax support Chesterfield Canal Trust
BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax is supporting Chesterfield Canal Trust as a sponsor.
The company will make donations to the trust generated through referrals or Canal Trust supporters.
Customers just need to mention the trust, and the firm will donate 20% of the fee income arising (not including VAT) from the company’s work.
Services include:
1. Maple Tree Wills and Estate Planning work.
2. BusinessWisetax Accountacy & Tax for Year-end accounts.
3. Sorbus Finance / The Lease Hub who arrange finance for Vehicles and Assets.
This offer will be valid for 6 months from August 1st, 2024. BusinessWise owner, Graham Nash is a keen supporter of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and is hopeful of engaging more businesses to work with the canal.
Stepnell launches competition for local artists as part of Walton Hospital construction project
As part of it’s social value commitments to NHS Derbyshire Healthcare, Stepnell is looking for artistic Chesterfield residents to design a mural for a wall in the therapeutic garden of Bluebell Ward at Walton Hospital.
It needs to provide a calming backdrop for an area where those using the service will be able to relax and undertake some gardening tasks.
The winning design will cover an area 3m x 2m and will be painted onto the wall by volunteers.
Artists are being asked to prepare their entries on A3 landscape white paper and submit a photograph of their work to eastmidlands@stepnell.co.uk by 31 August 2024.
Mayor visits Heron Publications as company celebrates 22nd anniversary
A special guest at the Dronfield offices of Heron Publications recently was the Mayor of Chesterfield, Coun Jenny Flood.
Accompanied by the town’s Mayoress, Heather Hopkinson, Coun Flood was keen to see how staff at the independent magazine publishers produce their five local magazines – Twist, Wings, Dronfield Eye, Active8 and So Bolsover, distributing them to 59,000 homes and businesses.
Founder members of the Chesterfield Champions organisation, family-run Heron Publications celebrates its 22nd anniversary this August.
The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
