As many remain at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, people are being urged to do something positive with their time and learn vital first aid skills online.

In conjunction with Virtual College, Chesterfield-based community organisation CSALS promotes a free online first aid course which takes less than an hour on average to complete.

CSALS set a world record in 2016 when 1,795 people took part in a first aid lesson at Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium.

Debra Johnson, Community Facilitator for CSALS, explains why it is important for everyone to learn basic first aid skills. She says: “The statistics are quite startling because every five minutes, someone will have a heart attack and an estimated 140,000 people die annually where the use of first aid could have saved their lives.

“Around 59% of people wouldn’t feel comfortable attempting to save a life with 24% saying they would wait for an ambulance or others to help. With ambulance response times averaging 7-12 minutes, it really can be a matter of life or death whether someone knows how to administer first aid.”

Boxing legend Frank Bruno MBE (right) and former Sheffield United and England star Tony Currie (below) have both recently pledged their support for CSALS’ efforts to train more life-savers.

To do the course, which features just five short sections, please visit: www.virtual-college.co.uk/prepared. Once you have successfully completed it, you can download and print off a certificate of achievement stating that you are now ‘Prepared to Save a Life’!

A video highlighting the importance of first aid can be viewed below or on the CSALS YouTube channel here – www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2xf0ykwqU

The change comes as Principal Partner and ground naming rights holder, Pattonair, merge with Wesco Aircraft to become Incora™.

The company, which is a leading provider of comprehensive and innovative supply chain management services has this week unveiled its new brand identity.

Incora reflects the company’s commitment to its customers’ mission-critical work – both in choice of name and brand identity, while the business still maintains a strong presence in Derby and the local community, with over 600 employees in Derby.

Built on over 100 years of combined supply chain expertise and delivery performance, Incora now expands its portfolio to serve industrial manufacturing, marine, pharmaceuticals and beyond. Incora manages all aspects of supply chain from procurement and inventory management to logistics and on-site customer services.

Their continued investment as Principal Partner helps to support Derbyshire’s playing ambitions and investment in facilities at The Incora County Ground.

Chief Executive of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Ryan Duckett, said:

“We have enjoyed a growing relationship with Pattonair and it’s excellent to see a company with its roots in Derby expand to become a leading, global supply chain management services company.

“This merger to create Incora with its extended offering and fresh identity is great news for the city of Derby and the community as a whole.

“With a number of major concerts over the last three seasons, as well as international matches and sold-out domestic fixtures, the club is establishing itself as a 365-day-a-year venue.

“We are all currently facing some challenging and uncertain times right across the country, but we look forward to working closely with Incora to maximise the partnership and to hopefully welcome people to the The Incora County Ground in the near future.”

More than 13,800 people took part in Beat the Street Chesterfield and together walked, cycled, ran and wheeled 143,132 miles. The game was scheduled to last until 8 April, but organisers brought the game to an end early amid the outbreak of Covid-19.

The winning teams are as follows:

Schools – total points:

1. Brockwell Junior School
2. Whitecotes Primary School
3. Highfield Hall Primary School

Schools – average points:

1. Brockwell Junior School
2. Whitecotes Primary School
3. Brockwell Nursery and Infant School

Community and workplace – total points:

1. Jog Derbyshire Chesterfield
2. Rother Community Group
3. Poolsbrook parkrun Supermen

Community and workplace-average points:

1. Jog Derbyshire Chesterfield
2. Poolsbrook parkrun Supermen
3. Rother Community Group

Charities – total points:

1. Fairplay

Small teams- total points:

1. Velotastic

Small teams – average points:

1. Wheely Fun Wheels

Individual tapper:

1. Gavla38

Unfortunately, the planned celebratory event will now not take place; winning teams will receive their prizes by post or email. Players are invited to keep hold of their cards and fobs for now as they may be useful for future special events and one-off activities. If these events go ahead, they will be publicised on social media and Chesterfield Borough Council’s website.

Jo Lenthall, PE Lead at Brockwell Junior School, winners of the schools leaderboards for both total and average points said the school would be using their prize vouchers to buy new playtime equipment for the children plus looking into how most of the vouchers could be used to support charities that may be struggling during this difficult time.

Jo added: “We, as a whole community, have absolutely loved participating in Best the Street. It has brought the community closer together as we have cycled, run and walked together. We have spent more time with our families and made new friends as we have become fitter and healthier. Beat the Street started off as a fun competition but soon turned into an addictive obsession. We are all sorry to see it come to an end but many have said that they will swap their cars for their bikes and will walk instead of ride.  All have said that positive changes have occurred from participating in Beat the Street.

“Many thanks to all at Beat the Street.”

Speaking about the initiative, Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Congratulations to all the winning teams in Beat the Street and well done to every person who participated. Together you all reached an incredible distance of more than 143,000 miles before the game sadly had to be ended early for understandable reasons.”

“We hope you have enjoyed getting around Chesterfield, have explored new areas and chatted to people you haven’t met before.  I know that I have discovered walkways and alleyways I didn’t know existed and I certainly feel fitter.”

“Once life returns to normal, we hope the game will encourage people to rethink how they travel around and that walking or cycling to school or work is a fun, free alternative to using the car.”

One participant managed to tap every one of the 119 Beat Boxes in the game. Graham Voss and his dog Benji played for Hady Primary School and became minor celebrities while out tapping all of the Beat Boxes by bike and on foot.

He said: “Over 14 days, we have walked and cycled 93 miles and covered every one of the Beat Boxes at least once.”

“We are well chuffed to have visited every Beat Box. Throughout our journeys we have seen estates we would never have seen, parks we never knew existed despite living here for twelve years, and cycle routes across town to most neighbourhoods through interesting areas.”

“Beat the Street is the best thing ever to happen to Chesterfield. Never has there been so many children, parents, individuals on the streets, roads of Chesterfield and surrounding area. It is the most talked about subject at the moment and we will certainly miss it when it ends, though we will continue our bike rides and walks around the Peaks and newly found routes around Chesterfield.”

“Thank you all so much for the hard work and meticulous planning that must have gone into this project.”

Libby Hawkins, local coordinator for Beat the Street Chesterfield, added: “Now, more than ever, it’s essential to keep building your immune system to ensure your body is as strong as possible to fight the virus, which you can with regular exercise where possible.

“We’ll still be on hand with a new programme called #BeatTheBug where you can sign up for newsletters containing hints, tips and advice on how you and your family can stay fit, get active, reduce stress and have fun at home. There will be regular Beat the Bug advice and Q&A sessions with our founder, Dr William Bird MBE, who is a doctor working on the NHS frontline, an expert in physical activity and an advisor to the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.”

Players are invited to give their feedback about the Beat the Street Chesterfield game at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ where participants are in with a chance of winning more prizes.

Beat the Street was delivered by Intelligent Health in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and is funded as part of a £3.3 million National Lottery grant through Sport England and Chesterfield Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

An appeal from staff at Specsavers Chesterfield has resulted in four electronic devices being donated to enable local care home residents to keep in touch with their loved ones throughout the twelve-week isolation period.

The store’s optometrist director, Allissa Charlesworth, launched the fundraising campaign this week following a discussion during a recent eye-test with a lady who worked in the local Whittington Care Home.

The customer, who is in charge of planning activities for the home’s residents, raised her concern that due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the home would be closed to visitors and residents would not be able to see or speak with their loved ones.

Within 24 hours of setting up a Just Giving page, Allissa’s fundraiser had already raised £350, enough to purchase a brand new tablet for the home.

Allissa comments: “Although we might be self-isolating with loved ones at home, it was heartbreaking to hear that some members of our community would be facing the prospect of twelve weeks without the chance to see their families.”

“Although it’ll be incredibly hard for most of us to adhere to social distancing, I couldn’t imagine how much harder it must be for those without access to technology, who will be unable to keep in touch with their friends and families.”

“I’ve been totally blown away with the community spirit in Chesterfield, and I am thankful to those who have donated devices and money to the cause. I’m sure the four devices we’ve already donated will be put to good use during this period of isolation.’”

Prior to the lockdown, the team also put a request out for in-store donations of care package items to keep residents busy, which saw dozens of items donated, including jigsaws, books and magazines donated to local homes.

Following the Coronavirus outbreak, staff at the Chesterfield store have been out in the community delivering glasses to residents who are self isolating, whilst also keeping the shop open for emergencies such as the needs of Key Workers.

Click here to find out more about Specsavers Chesterfield store 

From midnight on 21 March the National Trust will close all of its gated gardens and parks to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres announced by the government on Friday, and tightening travel restrictions and public health advice.

At the start of this week the conservation charity announced that despite closing its houses, shops and cafes, it would work to keep gardens and parks open so people could access open space. However, the Trust warned that a fair weather forecast and Mothering Sunday could tempt people onto the roads over the weekend and National Trust sites would close if high demand meant social distancing could not be enforced.

Director-General Hilary McGrady said: “Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority. Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today and I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother’s Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.”

“We have now sadly taken the decision to close all of our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafes, to avoid crowding that puts social distancing at risk.”

“We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible.”

“Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.”

“Over the coming weeks our digital platforms – our website, social media feeds, podcasts and video – will become even more important, ensuring the places of nature, beauty and history that we care for on behalf of the nation can remain open for business virtually while we are temporarily closed.”

“We will also be ramping up our efforts to help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time.”

Information on which National Trust outdoor places are open can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk