DERBYSHIRE: DT appeals for readers to back hospice

The Derbyshire Times' cycling team Dan Hobson, Jon Cooper and Matt Brooks.

The on-going appeal is running to mark the hospice’s 25th anniversary year and following the launch we have enjoyed a DT charity ale, a pub quiz night and our Pelican Cycles’ 50 mile Flagg Challenge bike ride as well as publicising readers’ many other public events.

These incredible fundraisers have helped the DT pass its appeal half-way mark but now we have our sights firmly set on reaching our £25,000 target.

Debyshire Times editor James Mitchinson said: “It’s been wonderful to see so many get involved with our appeal to support this incredible cause but there is still a lot more to be done so we can reach our target and help the hospice continue its fabulous work.”

Ashgate Hospice has cared for thousands of seriously ill patients and their families since it was first launched in 1988 but to keep running it needs to meet multi-million pound costs every year and is dependent on fundraising and donations.

So Derbyshire Times’ staff have set their sights on the Hospice’s Sponsored Walk and Bike Ride scheduled for Sunday, October 13, at Carsington Water, and in the meantime we are asking readers to consider joining the charity’s remaining organised events as well as coming up with their own fundraising challenges.

Once readers have picked an event from the list below or come up with their own plan, just let us know and we will publicise any fundraising efforts under our appeal to boost your donations and sponsorship.

Official remaining events include: The 10k Twighlight Run and 4k Family Fun Run, at Chatsworth Estate, on Friday, September 20; Hospice Ladies Lunch, at The Casa Hotel, Chesterfield, from midday, on Friday, October 4; Hospice Celebration Lunch, at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel, from midday to 3.30pm, on Saturday, October 12, and the Hospice Sponsored Walk and Bike Ride, at Carsington Water, from 9.30am, on Sunday, October 13.

Anyone wishing to join forces with our appeal and guarantee money-spinning publicity can call reporter Jon Cooper on (01246) 504524 or email [email protected] with details.