The Derbyshire Brain Game returned to Pride Park Stadium on Thursday 9th October, raising over £60,000 in support of Marie Curie. Almost 300 guests gathered for the black-tie quiz night, helping to fund expert care and support for people living with terminal illness and their families. A highlight in the region’s charity calendar, The Derbyshire Brain Game continues to blend high-energy entertainment with meaningful fundraising. Held at the home of Derby County Football Club, this year’s event brought together business leaders, community figures, and long-time supporters for an evening of fine dining, fierce competition, and moving testimonies from those impacted by Marie Curie’s vital work. Matthew Nickson, Marie Curie’s community fundraiser for Derbyshire, said: “The continued generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who attends The Derbyshire Brain Game is truly overwhelming. “Every pound raised helps ensure no one faces end of life alone. We are incredibly grateful to all who contribute, especially our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. This year we have raised over £60,000, which will fund approximately 2,640 hours of specialist nursing care. With this year’s total, the event has now raised over £500,000 since its inception in 2012.” All funds raised go directly to supporting Marie Curie’s range of services, including in-home nursing care, hospices, bereavement counselling, and a free information and support line, all of which provide comfort, dignity, and expert guidance to those navigating the challenges of terminal illness. While the evening centres around fundraising, the quiz remains highly competitive. After seven tough rounds, Smith Partnership claimed victory and took home the winners’ trophy, a unique design created by Jowita, a Derby College student. The Derbyshire Brain Game will return in 2026, with the date confirmed for Thursday 8th October, once again at Pride Park Stadium. The Derbyshire Brain Game is organised entirely by a volunteer committee made up of local business professionals from companies such as PKF Smith Cooper, Work Wallet, Bowmer and Kirkland, The Red Olive Catering Co., Co-op Group, and Clowes Developments, along with passionate individuals dedicated to supporting Marie Curie’s mission.

Ashleigh Page has taken home an award for leading a pioneering project while on the graduate scheme at GXO, to improve workplace accessibility for disabled colleagues – driving meaningful change across the company and sparking wider conversations in the logistics sector. Identifying barriers faced by deaf colleagues and a team member with a limb difference in Material Handling Equipment roles, Ashleigh independently initiated a programme at a GXO site to make these roles safer and more inclusive. Her work included developing accessible safety protocols, establishing buddy systems and delivering awareness training to the team – all in close conjunction with the affected colleagues, who fed in directly to shape the initiatives. Ashleigh’s initiative didn’t just change the work environment at GXO – it started a ripple effect, influencing company-wide practices and inspiring others across the logistics sector to reimagine how roles can be made more accessible for everyone. Her work was recently recognised at the 2025 Generation Logistics Awards, a national awards celebrating talent who are helping to shape the future of the sector. “I didn’t want to wait for someone else to fix it,” said Ashleigh Page. “I spoke to colleagues who felt like certain roles weren’t open to them because of accessibility issues, and I knew we had to do better. It’s not just about compliance – it’s about confidence, dignity and making sure everyone feels like they belong. “To be recognised with this award is a huge honour – but what really matters is that people feel included and empowered to do their jobs as well!” Bethany Windsor, programme director at Generation Logistics, added: “Ashleigh’s story is a powerful example of how the next generation is not just entering the logistics sector – they’re actively improving it. Her initiative, empathy and drive have created real impact and she represents the kind of future this sector needs. We were proud to highlight her work as part of this year’s awards.” Ashleigh is now working at Unipart as a business development manager, multisector. In her new role, she will continue to show her support to wider initiatives across the business, maintaining the same curiosity shown throughout her project work.

Beat The Streets, the music festival originated by DHP Family to raise funds to help homeless people, will return on Sunday 25 January 2026. The multi-venue festival in Nottingham has raised an impressive total of £554,155 for Framework – the charity working to end homelessness across the East Midlands – since its inception in 2018. Joseph Patten, DHP Family, said: “Hitting a milestone like half a million pounds raised after our 2025 festival was a massive moment for everyone involved in Beat The Streets and we’re excited to get the ball rolling again now for 2026. “We’ll have an exciting line-up of Nottingham’s greatest musicians coming soon, so watch this space and grab your ticket next week to show your support for Framework.” Last year’s Beat The Streets fundraising went towards securing Nottingham’s Street Outreach Team. These vital frontline workers go out 365 days a year to provide lifesaving support to rough sleepers across the city helping them to find safe and suitable accommodation. The funds raised in 2026 will go towards Framework’s Homeless to Home campaign to complete the development of 20 self-contained homes in Basford. When complete, Lee House will become home to some of the most vulnerable men in Nottingham along with round the clock support to help them move towards a better future. Previously the money raised has enabled Framework to employ mental health workers to support rough sleepers with complex needs, enabled its emergency winter shelter to stay open all year and helped to open new accommodation for former rough sleepers. Claire Eden, Framework’s head of fundraising, said: “Funds raised at Beat The Streets make a massive difference in helping Framework meet the challenges of homelessness, and particularly rough sleeping, in Nottingham. “Income from Beat The Streets allows us to address the most urgent need at that time, supplementing the ongoing commitment of Nottingham City Council. “Since 2018, Beat The Streets income has been used to employ extra staff, keep services open, and help fund the building of new accommodation, among many other things. Being able to count on this support is worth its weight in gold. “We are so grateful for the continuing commitment of DHP to present this outstanding music and fundraising event, and to everyone who makes it happen – the staff at DHP, the musicians who give their services and everyone else who volunteers and, of course, the enthusiastic audiences. “Roll on Sunday 25 January for another memorable and inspiring event.” Beat The Streets has seen hundreds of artists from across the region take to the stages over the years including Jake Bugg, Sleaford Mods, Grace Petrie, Ferocious Dog, Do Nothing, Divorce, Bored Marsh, JayaHadaDream and GIRLBAND! to name just a few. The festival will take place across stages at Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Stealth, The Bodega and Rough Trade. Beat The Streets tickets giving access to all participating venues throughout the whole day are available for the recommended donation of £20. Additional donations can be made at the time of purchase.