Communities celebrates fundraising success and national recognition
Local people, Chesterfield Champions and community groups across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are making a difference, from raising thousands of pounds for hospice care to tackling loneliness and celebrating inclusive community projects.
Young superheroes raise £52,000 for Ashgate Hospice
Ashgate Hospice’s annual Superhero Night Walk brought 673 children and their families to Queen’s Park, raising £52,000 so far for local hospice care.
Sponsored by Motan Colortronic Ltd, the event saw children take on one- and three-mile routes dressed in superhero costumes, colourful capes and glowing masks. The fundraising total is expected to grow as further donations and sponsorship come in.
Money raised will help Ashgate provide specialist palliative and end-of-life care, alongside support for patients and the people important to them, across North Derbyshire.
For some families, the event was also an opportunity to remember loved ones who had received care or support from the hospice.
Charlotte Butterworth, head of fundraising at Ashgate Hospice, said:
“Thank you to everyone who took part, raised money, volunteered or donated. We’re incredibly grateful for the support, and the fundraising that continues after the event will help us be there for local people when they need us most.”
Ashgate needs to raise around £11 million each year to provide its services, with around a third of its funding coming from the NHS. The Superhero Night Walk will return to Queen’s Park on Saturday, 16th October 2027, with registration details to be announced by the hospice.
BRM Wills Month raises over £9,000 for Blythe House Hospice
Chesterfield solicitors BRM has raised £9,775 for Blythe House Hospice through its latest Wills Month campaign, supporting people affected by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.
The campaign offered professional will-writing services in exchange for a voluntary donation, with a suggested contribution of £75 per person. This could provide more than two hours of daytime respite care through the charity’s Hospice at Home service.
BRM and Blythe House Hospice have worked together since 2017, with their annual Wills Month campaigns raising almost £86,000 over the course of the partnership.
Rob Woodhead, executive director at BRM, said:
“We’re over the moon to have raised £9,775 for Blythe House Hospice through our Wills Month, taking our fundraising total to almost £86,000 since the start of our partnership nine years ago.”
Shane O’Reilly, CEO at Blythe House Hospice, thanked BRM and its clients for their support, highlighting the importance of local fundraising in helping the hospice provide care free of charge.
Chesterfield café team wins national award for bringing community together
MacIntyre’s Monkey Park Takeover Team has won a national award for its work creating friendship, connection and inclusion through weekly “Soup and Chat” sessions at Monkey Park café in Brampton.
The team was recognised at Dimensions’ Leaders’ Awards, held in Bristol on 20th October 2026. The awards celebrate the achievements of people with learning disabilities and autistic people who are making a positive difference in society.
Every Tuesday, the team takes over the café, planning menus, preparing meals and welcoming local people into a supportive space. Using surplus vegetables and bread donated by local organisations, the group provides low-cost lunches while helping to reduce food waste and support people affected by loneliness and the rising cost of living.
The project has also built partnerships with local organisations including Chesterfield Asian Association, Children’s Week, Macmillan, Gussie’s Food Bank and Chesterfield Cricket Club.
Olivia, a member of the Monkey Park team, said:
“I enjoy serving the customers, Monkey Park helped me to get at job at Nandos. Sometimes I bake and do cooking. I check if anyone has any allergies and make sure that they are ok. At the end of the day I help with the cleaning. It’s all about working as a team.”
Ashgate Hospice and BRM are among more than 200 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.
Find out more about our Champions network.
