Chesterfield Champions make history and support local causes
From making sporting history to supporting local charities, Chesterfield Champions across our town have brought people together and supported causes close to the community.
Female runners make history at Hardwick Estate
Female runners made history at the National Trust’s Hardwick Estate when they took all three podium places at the Rasselbock Backyard Ultra on Saturday, 12th September, 2026.
Race organisers confirmed the event was the first recorded all-female podium at a Backyard Ultra in the UK, with the only previously recorded occasion taking place at an event in Iceland.
The ultramarathon attracted 141 competitors and hundreds of spectators to the estate, with runners completing a 4.16-mile course every hour, on the hour, until only one competitor remained.
Taking the top spot was Becky Atkinson, who completed 40 hours of continuous running in her first Backyard Ultra, covering a total of 166.4 miles. Hayley Wilson finished second, with Hollie Jones taking third place.
Matt Dillon, Visitor Experience Manager at Hardwick, said:
“We were delighted to welcome the Rasselbock event to Hardwick and see such a great turnout of runners and spectators. It promised to be an exciting event and for it to have achieved records, made it an even more memorable weekend.
“Given our history and connection with Bess of Hardwick, it feels fitting that female runners made their mark on the event here at Hardwick. This was an extraordinary event organised by Rasselbock and we were very pleased to have been part of it.”
Rasselbock event organiser Eric Keeler said:
“We went through thousands of results worldwide and an all-female winning line-up has only happened once before – in Iceland. Becky’s 40-hour debut, and a female top three, was an exciting result for the event.
“The Hardwick event is uniquely challenging. It features the smallest start line across the series in this country due to single-track trails and estate gates. Runners navigate a course through a farm and share the path with sheep and cattle, which is always a fun experience, especially at night!”
The Rasselbock Backyard Ultra is growing in popularity, with more than 700 events taking place globally each year, including 55 across the UK.
Legal firm BRM launches annual Will Month for Macmillan Cancer Support
Legal firm BRM is launching its annual Will Month campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support for the 11th year, having raised more than £220,000 for the charity since 2015.
The campaign runs throughout October and November, with BRM offering its Will writing services in exchange for a voluntary donation to Macmillan.
Funds raised will help support Macmillan Cancer Support’s services at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, as well as people affected by cancer across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire through expert advice, financial help and emotional support.
Clients interested in putting a Will in place can arrange an appointment with BRM’s specialist team. Suggested minimum donations are £120 for a single Will and £200 for a mirror Will for a couple.
The campaign is being led by BRM executive directors Rob Woodhead and Paul Berresford at the firm’s Chesterfield office.
Paul said:
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the charity this year, helping fund vital services at Chesterfield Royal Hospital – so they can offer support to those affected by cancer across the region.”
“As a Chesterfield-based legal firm, Macmillan is a charity close to our hearts. They regularly help people in our community, and we’re delighted to support them once again with our annual fundraising campaign.”
Adam Williams, Derbyshire professional engagement improvement lead for Macmillan, said:
“Partnerships like this help us to be there for local people when they need us most – whether that’s through Macmillan services at Chesterfield Royal Hospital or calls from people in Chesterfield to the confidential Macmillan Support Line, where our teams can answer questions about cancer types and treatments, provide clinical, practical, emotional, and financial support, and be there if someone just wants to talk.”
BRM’s annual campaign has now supported Macmillan for more than a decade, with the partnership raising more than £220,000 for the charity’s work across the local area.
Chesterfield rally teams set off on £40,000 charity challenge
Photo credit: Nick Rhodes
Fifteen teams set off from Chesterfield’s Casa Hotel on Thursday, 17th September, beginning a 950-mile charity rally through the Lake District and Scottish Highlands.
The teams taking part in the Bangers & Cash Lakes & Highlands Charity Car Rally gathered at Casa Hotel before setting off at 10:30am for a five-day road trip, raising money for three charities including North Derbyshire’s Ashgate Hospice.
With every team taking part in fancy dress, the departure brought together a colourful mix of cars, costumes and characters as the teams began their challenge.
The rally is aiming to raise £40,000, with Ashgate Hospice among the three charities benefiting. The North Derbyshire charity provides specialist palliative and end of life care to local people living with a life-limiting illness, as well as support for those important to them.
Among the teams taking part is SDE Group, which is supporting the rally as an event partner.
Ian Buckton of SDE Group said:
“SDE Group wanted to get involved because it’s a great opportunity to support a fantastic cause while bringing the team together for something completely different from our usual day-to-day work.”
The teams’ route takes them from Chesterfield through the Lake District and into the Scottish Highlands, with stops including Loch Ness, the Cairngorms and Edinburgh. They will then head south via Bamburgh and the North York Moors before completing the rally in Whitby on Monday, 21st September.
For Ashgate Hospice, money raised through the event will help continue providing specialist care and support to local people living with a life-limiting illness and those important to them.
James Branson, Events and Community Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospice, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone taking part in the Bangers and Cash Rally and choosing to raise money for Ashgate. It’s fantastic to see people coming together, taking on a challenge and having plenty of fun along the way, while making a real difference to people living with a life-limiting illness across North Derbyshire.”
BRM, Hardwick Estate, Casa Hotel, and Ashgate Hospice, 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.
