Lubrizol employees raise more than £15,000 for St John Ambulance
Hundreds of science company employees turned their office canteen into a sea of Christmas jumpers as they held one of their final fundraisers wrapping up more than £15,000 in fundraising for St John Ambulance. Staff at science company Lubrizol’s UK Technical Centre in Hazelwood, near Duffield, put on their best Christmas jumpers, antlers, Grinch outfits […]
Derbyshire teen’s whirlwind six months since becoming UK’s youngest female helicopter pilot
A Derbyshire teenager who became the UK’s youngest female helicopter pilot has described how her life has become a “whirlwind” since she picked up her licence during the summer. Olivia Thompson, from Smalley, hit the headlines all over the world when she made history by earning her Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopter) on July 4 – […]
Keep carers in mind to help them cope at Christmas
Friends and neighbours are being encouraged to check up on people who are carers over Christmas to make sure they’re not feeling isolated at what can often be their loneliest time of the year. Raj Johal, executive director of Derby carers organisation Blue Sky Brokers, says the festive period can be a particularly tough time […]
Lubrizol letter-writers bring Christmas cheer to care home residents
Science company employees from Lubrizol’s Derbyshire base stepped out of their labs and offices to create festive letters and crafts bringing cheer to care home residents this Christmas. A team from Lubrizol took time out of their working day to take part in the ‘Give … a few words’ campaign which sees volunteers writing thousands […]
Teacher’s cancer journey inspires quilt that unites school community
A headteacher who faced a life-changing diagnosis has turned her experience into a heartfelt project that symbolises the strength and unity of her school community. After a routine mammogram, executive headteacher Paula Martin was diagnosed with breast cancer and immediately underwent surgery. Just two weeks later, she returned to work, where she finds comfort and […]
Generous marketers at JDR Group answer the call for Derby families as they donate to Audrey’s Charity
Warm-hearted digital marketers at JDR Group stepped into the role of Santa when they brought in armfuls of gifts, food and toys to help a Derby charity out at Christmas. Staff at JDR Group, based in Pride Park, collected the goodies as part of their annual bid to spread some festive cheer after choosing to […]
Christmas brings out community spirit at Allestree Woodlands School
Students at Allestree Woodlands School became Santa for the day when they delivered more than 60 sacks of food to Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA) as part of Derby County Community Trust’s Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal. The appeal asked people to collate a food item a day from a ‘calendar’ list and then deliver […]
Derby woman who grew up in care praises community Christmas parties for giving young people hope
A Derby woman has praised a community Christmas party which brought young care-leavers together for festive fun, music and food – saying they give people hope at what can be a lonely time of year. Harley McComiskie, 22, attended the event on Monday with her two-year-old daughter, Aurora, alongside 50 other young people from across […]
Young adults who grew up in care come together for community Christmas party in Burton
The organiser of a Christmas party held for young people who have left the care system is calling on more organisations to hold similar events – because they save lives. Martin Morgan, who is behind the organisation of the Christmas parties, helped out at the community event in Burton on Friday (December 6) and would […]
Derby after-school club is a recipe for success
Budding chefs at Derby Cathedral School are racing to secure a spot in the cookery club, which is so popular it is oversubscribed every week. With only 20 places available each week and more than 60 students eager to take part, the after-school club has become the most sought-after extracurricular activity at the school. […]