charity

Chesterfield FC launch Chester’s Christmas toy appeal

Chester’s Christmas Toy Appeal has been launched by Chesterfield FC Community Trust to spread some festive cheer.

People are encouraged to buy an extra toy when they are doing their Christmas shopping and donate it to the appeal. The toys will then be distributed to children in need in North Derbyshire.

Bridget Ball, Chesterfield FC’s marketing manager, said: “It has been a very difficult year for everyone, financially and emotionally, so we want to bring everybody together to support those in need.

“Our aim is to try and take some pressure off parents and carers who may be struggling at this time of year. No child should wake up on Christmas Day morning without a present to unwrap.”

“Individuals and businesses can help by making donations. Cosmetic Repair Solutions have sponsored the appeal and I would like to thank them for their valued support.”

Unwrapped toys for children aged 0-18 years can be dropped off at Chester’s Den in the HUB at the Technique Stadium, opposite side to main entrance, from Monday to Friday (8am to 7pm) until December 11.

The Christmas Toy Appeal is one of a number of initiatives being carried out recently by the Chesterfield FC Community Trust. Last month, the club visited a number of local schools to educate pupils on Black History Month. It also helped provide school children with free school meals during the half-term holidays, with a number of families suffering financial difficulties due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Chesterfield Football Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Ultra Refrigeration take on daring skydive for Chesterfield charity

Chesterfield-based refrigeration and air-conditioning company, Ultra Refrigeration recently took to the skies in order to raise funds for local children and young people’s disability charity Fairplay.

Ultra Refrigeration manager Steve Shipp is a qualified skydiver, with the company supporting Fairplay since 2018. Previously Steve raised £2,000 for them when he completed the Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara desert, widely regarded as one of the toughest foot races on earth.

Steve described how the rest if the Ultra Refrigeration team wanted to get involved with their most recent charity effort: “I’m a qualified skydiver and will talk about skydiving whenever given the opportunity. A number of our staff had approached me asking how much it would cost to do a tandem skydive.

“All the staff were given the option as their Christmas bonus 2019 to have a tandem skydive voucher or the cash equivalent. 12 staff opted for the voucher. The move to raise money for Fairplay was a simple and obvious next step.”

Steve also explained why he continues to support the charity: “Seeing first hand the fantastic work that Heather and her team at Fairplay do for these children and young adults is very humbling.”

The skydives were done at Skydive Hibaldstow  in North Lincolnshire. They were completed on 9th August, 29th September and 2nd October. The team managed to raise a total of £415 for taking the plunge. Team members described the skydive as “terrifying but exhilarating,” “insane” and “life changing.”

Fairplay will be using the money raised towards the expense of the trips they arrange for the children.

Steve says: “This is where they have the opportunity to experience a whole range of activities that we might simply take for granted. After the skydives were completed I visited the children and young adults at Fairplay. Some of them now want to experience skydiving too. Heather has left that mission with me!”

Ultra Refrigeration supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

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Terminally ill patient marries the love of her life at Ashgate Hospicecare

Lindsay, a terminally ill patient at Ashgate Hospicecare who lives with pancreatic cancer, chose to tie the knot with her – now – husband, Simon, last week in Ashgate Hospicecare’s boardroom.

The ceremony, which was put on with the support of the hospice staff and a number of kind donations from local businesses, was incredibly moving despite social distancing rules. It was attended by a small group of the couple’s family and friends, as well as their 19-month-old son Isaac.

Lindsay, who can now also be referred to as Mrs Birley, told us: “We had such a special day thanks to Ashgate. We had hoped I would be well enough to get married in Chesterfield, but it wasn’t possible so I can’t thank the hospice enough for everything they have done. We’ve been going through some tough times but it was a really lovely day.

“I’d class Ashgate as my second home. My family can’t believe how well I’ve looked since I’ve been here but it’s because my medication got switched around so I’ve been sleeping so much better and shows how comfortable I am.”

Anne-Marie Carey, a Consultant in Palliative Medicine as part of the hospice’s In-Patient Unit, regularly looks after Lindsay. She added: “I’m so happy that this special day was able to go ahead and Lindsay, Simon and Isaac were able to have the special day they had hoped for and we all wanted for them.”

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 guidelines, no reception could take place so instead the hospice’s Head Chef, Mark Taylor, created a special takeaway wedding breakfast box for each of the guests.

Other local businesses that pulled out all the stops for Ashgate’s happy couple included: Blanc & Blanc Occasions which provided shoes, Fresh Ideas Florists which provided all the flower arrangements, Natalie Reynolds MUA who provided hair and makeup services, Weddings by Dragonfly which decorated the room and Tom Hodgson who photographed the whole event and captured a memory which the family will keep forever.

And finally, Lambs Cupcakes of Chesterfield made the spectacular wedding cake which was colour coordinated with Lindsay’s dress for a fraction of its usual price.

Ashgate Hospicecare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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