It might only be August, with most locals still thinking about their summer holidays, but a group of fundraisers in Chesterfield are already in the Hallowe'en spirit.
They’re dusting off their broomsticks - and walking boots - ready to descend on Chesterfield town centre this Saturday (17 August).
The Chesterfield Fundraising Group for Cancer Research UK will be in full Hallowe’en costume hoping to use some hocus pocus to encourage shoppers to sign up for the annual “Spooktacular Sponsored Stroll” at Chatsworth on Sunday 27 October.
They will be spooking around on Vicar Lane and outside Marks & Spencer between 10am and 3pm on Saturday.
Angela Shawcroft, Chairperson of the fundraising group, said: One of our group’s aims is to put the ‘fun’ in to fundraising and we’ll be in our full Hallowe’en fancy dress... but with trainers on. We witches need to get in training!
“This will be our second Spooktacular Sponsored Stroll, held in the beautiful grounds of Chatsworth House in the Peak District. It’s a family friendly event where fancy dress is optional, but with a prize for the best costume and with so many dressing up, who wouldn’t want to! Participants of all ages are welcome and you can choose between a 5km ‘Bat’ and 10km ‘Witch’ route to walk.
“Witch walk will you do this Hallowe’en to help beat cancer?”
Organisers are hoping for another great turnout this year as all money raised from the Spooktacular will go to support the vital work of Cancer Research UK. As the world’s leading charity dedicated to saving lives through research, Cancer Research UK’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has seen survival rates double in the last 40 years.
Angela added: “Our first people to register are coming all the way from York! So don’t let distance stop you from joining in. We have made a lot of friends through social media with other volunteers for the charity, and hopefully have fellow fundraisers coming to help at the event all the way from Surrey and Glasgow!”
“So why not come along on this Saturday, say hello and find out about joining in the fun?
The Spooktacular Sponsored Stroll is on Sunday 27 October at Chatsworth House. Registration and costume judging starts at 10 am before the walkers set off at 11am. Entry for both distances costs £12.50 for adults, £6.00 for children or £25 for a family ticket.
Online registrations can be made at www.spooktacularstroll.co.uk
Those registering before 31 August will receive a free Spooktacular wristband.
The Chesterfield Fundraising Group for Cancer Research UK formed in June 2011 after individual supporters of the charity were introduced and began to work together to raise money. There are now four full committee members and many others who volunteer on a regular basis at events and collections. Each has their own personal reason for getting involved.
Explained Chairperson Angela: “I lost two grandparents to cancer and then my father passed away in March 2010 after a five year struggle with stomach and oesophageal cancer. The advances in treatment due to research are what gave us the extra years together, so I can never do enough to say ‘thank you’ for that. I’ve taken part in Race for Life since 2005 and have fundraised for several charities including designing some cheeky charity calendars for PeakFM. To date, I’ve helped to raise over £60,000.”
Fellow committee member, Michelle Hawkins, said: “I owe my children to advances in chemotherapy techniques as my husband was able to keep his fertility after treatment for testicular cancer and secondary stomach tumours in 2000. I hope that by raising funds we can save more lives and help reduce side effects of the drugs that help keep more people here today.”
More information about the Chesterfield Committee can be found at: www.chesterfieldcruk.co.uk
For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work to find out how to support the charity, please call 08701 60 20 40 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk .
