A family-friendly charity event organised by a group of small businesses in Derby has raised more than double the initial fundraising target.
Chart-topping band Marseille, from Derby, entertained crowds at Bustler Market while businesses including personalised gift company Colleague Box, cosmetics brand Divine Box and artist Carla Dee – who painted one of the giant Rams that formed part of the Derby Rams Trail last summer – hosted pop-up shops.
The initial target for the event, held to raise funds for the DEC – Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, was £1k but organisers are expecting to break the £2k mark.
Adam Bamford, of Colleague Box, said: “It is just fantastic to see how the city has come together to support this event, which we’re proud to support.
“Derby has a big heart and we’ve received so many kind donations for the raffle, including a signed Derby County shirt from Derby County Community Trust, tickets to Chatsworth House and bottles of bubbly.
“Derby player Festy Ebosele donated a pair of his boots, which he signed, and they were won by a young Rams fan who was over the moon to have won them. From schools doing bake sales to village halls becoming drop-off centres for donations, the generosity of the people of Derby never fails to amaze me.
“As a parent myself, I find it heartbreaking that families are being separated and having to flee their country. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing; Colleague Box donated 25% of our profits made last month to assist the brave people of Ukraine but organising a fundraising event with the incredible ladies who we recently worked with on our International Women’s Day gift box, seemed such a good idea to raise more money.”
Marseille, who have supported band The Sherlocks on tour, said that they were proud to be doing their bit for their home city.
“The incredible people of Derby have been so supportive of our journey so far and we are looking forward to taking part in this community fundraising event for the people of Ukraine,” said Will Brown, of Marseille.
Meanwhile, swimmers at Derby’s 4Strokes Academy have been swimming the length of the Ukraine during their lessons – 347 miles in total – to raise funds for people in war-torn Ukraine.
The club have set up a JustGiving page which has raised almost £10,000.
Co-founder Hayley Mitchell said: “Swimming is a life-skill and we have both young swimmers and adult swimmers at our school.
“It’s been a huge task; we’ve swam more than 38,000 lengths of our pool in Derby and, regardless of whether the children can swim with or without aids, they have been given the task of swimming as many lengths as they can so that we can collectively reach our target.
“We also held a 12-hour sponsored swim to boost the total further and invited parents, friends and families of our children to play their part. It’s been a real team effort and we’re over the moon to have raised so much money.”
