Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

dronfield EYE
W
INNERS of the sixth annual
essay competition sponsored by
the Friends of Dronfield Station and
run by Dronfield Henry Fanshawe
School have been announced.
First prize of £125 and a certificate was
awarded to 15-year-old James Szabo-
Critchley, who wrote a compelling story
about a young boy being evacuated from
home during wartime.
Second prize of £85 went to Ruby Smith
with Aaron Chaudry receiving the third
prize of £50. There were 200 entries.
Headteacher, Martyn Cooper, said: “It is
great to see our students engaged in a
co-operative exercise with an important
community group such as the Friends of
Dronfield Station, which continues to
Sparkling
£317,000
is raised
A
SHGATE Hospice’s biggest ever
Sparkle Night Walk raised a
record-breaking £317, 671 for end of
life care in North Derbyshire.
More than 3,100 people sported pink
and flashing bunny ears to take on the
10km walk from Chesterfield FC on 1st
July. The total figure collected was the
most the walk has ever raised by more
than £50,000.
Head of Fundraising at Ashgate, Jack
Wood, said: “For more than 3,100 people
to take on this year’s event is just
amazing and we are so grateful to all
walkers who turned out in droves.”
“We are simply overwhelmed that our
supporters have helped us raise such an
incredible amount towards our care.
“Not only did they help light up
Chesterfield’s night, but their efforts will
go a long way towards funding end of life
care and support for patients and their
families across North Derbyshire.”
The generosity of sponsors and
corporate supporters meant the hospice
saved £29,000 in running costs on the
night – meaning more funds will go
towards funding vital care.
The route took the walkers from the
stadium down the A61 bypass, which was
closed to traffic, past the Crooked Spire
and through the streets of Chesterfield
before returning to the football ground.
Jack added: “The wheels are already in
motion for Sparkle Night Walk 2024 –
you can register at our early bird pride
for just £8!
“Will you come along to make next year’s
event even bigger?”
For more information and registration
details visit www.ashgatehospice.org
.uk/sparkle-night-walk
46
James, 15, is
essay winner
maintain a great relationship with Henry
Fanshawe and all the other schools in the
Dronfield area.
“The essay competition provides them
with an unusual and challenging way of
following the curriculum and continues to
produce high quality results every year.”
Essay judge, Jan Alexander, said “This is
the sixth year I have had the pleasure of
judging the essay competition and it
never disappoints. This year the quality
James receives his prize from
headteacher Martyn Cooper
was very high and it proved to be a
difficult job to separate the three prize
winners from the other entrants.”
CRY charity funds 200
more Dronfield screenings
A
The local CRY campaigners
and Sheffield United’s
Oliver Arblaster show
their support for Joe
Williamson at Bramall Lane
LMOST 200 young people were screened for undiagnosed heart conditions at
two screening days in Dronfield, paid for by the Neil Ward Memorial Fund.
The sessions were held at Gosforth Playing Fields with 12 of those screened requiring
follow-ups or further tests.
The young people were the latest cohort of some 2,500 14-to-35-year-olds who have
now been screened by charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) with money from the fund,
set up by Elaine and Ian Ward in memory of their son Neil.
Neil, aged 17, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a cardiac arrest at a Scout meeting at
Wreakes Lane in 1992.
Lee Rowley, MP for NE Derbyshire, visited one of the screening days.
Meanwhile, the Wards have supported Joe Williamson, of Sheffield United Community
Foundation, in raising money for a heart screening for youngsters involved with the
Foundation.
Joe lost his cousin who was in his early 30s to an undiagnosed heart condition. He is
walking and cycling to all clubs in the football leagues and walked from Rotherham
United’s New York stadium to Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground, finishing at
Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.
Joe was accompanied on his route by members of Sheffield United Community
Foundation, as well as family and friends.
Sheffield United player Oli Arblaster joined them on the last leg from Hillsborough.
The following week, Ian was at the Crosspool Crawl which was a 7km run starting and
finishing at the Three Merry Lads pub, on Redmires Road, Sheffield.
Some of the money raised will be going to the Neil Ward Memorial Fund to help fund
future screenings by CRY.
Elaine and Ian thanked everyone who has made the screenings days possible. Recently,
the costs of carrying out the tests have significantly risen.
Said Elaine: “Without the help and support of the local community they would not take
place.”
Elaine continues to give talks to Rotary clubs, WIs, church groups, Probus and other
organisations to help raise awareness.
For further details, contact Elaine at elaineward49@btinternet.com or on 01246 415455.