A family owned business in Chesterfield is backing the town’s marathon by providing vital water for runners.

Family-owned Dunston Lodge, a top local dog boarding and grooming salon, is sponsoring and has secured the delivery of 10,000 bottles of water for the Chesterfield Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 20 September.

The event will see approximately 1500 runners from across the UK take to the streets of Chesterfield, running in the full marathon, team relay marathon and half marathon events – all in aid of many local and national charities, including Kids ‘n’ Cancer. An all-day party in Queens Park, where all the races will start at finish, will also take place.

Ten drinks stations will be located along the full and half marathon route with ample supplies of water to keep runners hydrated, along with pots of jelly babies to give runners the extra boost they may need.

The runners’ safety will be ensured by more than 400 volunteer ‘Marathon Makers’, who will stationed along the route and manning drinks stations, who will also be provided with refreshments, including water.

Richard Harrington, managing director of Chesterfield Champion, Dunston Lodge said: “The Chesterfield Marathon is a massive event for Chesterfield, bringing in runners and visitors from all over the country to our town.

“We wanted to offer our support to the marathon by taking care of this vital element and ensure the water was delivered and in place well ahead of the event.”

Andrea Hooley of the Chesterfield Marathon said “Although Kids ‘n’ Cancer is a national charity, we rely on a small team who work on both the charity and the marathon to make this event happen. The support of local businesses like Dunston Lodge, who have given both financial support as well as resource in purchasing and organising delivery of the water make a huge difference to us”

“The more businesses like Dunston Lodge that come and support the marathon through sponsorship and/or joining one of our business clubs, the bigger and better we can make this event, which benefits the whole of our town and all the charities involved.”

Part of the poppy sculpture by Chesterfield artist Paul Cummins could be heading to the town as Chesterfield Borough Council makes a bid to display the commemorative artwork next year.

The council, together with Chesterfield College, Destination Chesterfield and ex-servicemen’s organisations, has completed an expression of interest to host the Weeping Window sculpture, which was part of the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red on display at HM Tower of London in autumn 2014 to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War.

The display features 2,800 ceramic poppies, which will cascade from a building of some height. Options for displaying the sculpture include the Town Hall, Rose Hill.

Paul came up with the original idea for the sculpture after looking at some First World War archives while visiting the local studies and family history section of Chesterfield Library.

He was inspired by a line in the will of an unknown soldier, who died at Flanders, which said: “The blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread.”

This gave him the idea of making an installation with ceramic poppies representing each of the dead.

The decision on whether the borough will host the sculpture will be made by a panel including Paul Cummins; 14-18 NOW, the official First World War Centenary cultural programme and the Imperial War Museum.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy and vice chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The First World War was a watershed in our history. Hosting the Weeping Window sculpture would be fitting for us to remember the many Chesterfield men and women who gave their lives during the conflict.

“As the artist, Paul Cummins, is from Chesterfield, this would also be an opportunity to show our pride in him and his work in his home town.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Cestrefeldians all felt immense pride when Paul Cummins’ poppy installation received such international acclaim. The chance to have the poppies on display here in Paul’s home town, the place where he got the inspiration for this magnificent artwork, is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

They represent so much about Chesterfield, not least the many men who lost their lives in the war; it seems only fitting that the artwork returns to its spiritual home. I hope the entire Chesterfield community – businesses and residents – join the campaign to make this happen. If successful, this will be momentous for Chesterfield and put our town further on the map for investors helping create jobs.”

The decision on whether Chesterfield could host the sculpture will be made in September.

If successful, the artwork could be on display in the town in 2016.

The council will seek sponsorship to cover the cost of displaying the sculpture. Anyone with any suggestions for funding should contact: Bernadette Wainwright, cultural and visitor services manager by email: bernadette.wainwright@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling 01246 345779.