Doncaster Baton of Hope lead swaps crown for PJs to support hospice

The woman leading Doncaster’s Baton of Hope Tour27 swapped her crown and pageant glam for pyjamas as she took to the streets to support neighbouring Bassetlaw Hospice.

Charlotte Lister, Project Lead for the Doncaster leg of the national suicide-prevention initiative and the reigning Ms Great Britain Nottinghamshire 2026, joined supporters for Bassetlaw Hospice’s PJ Walk in Retford on Friday 19 September.

Charlotte is well known across the Doncaster area through her community and charity work, as well as her role with the Crown Bawtry Collection.

She is currently leading preparations for one of Doncaster’s biggest community events of 2027, when the Baton of Hope arrives in the city on Monday 20 September.

But despite an increasingly busy diary which also includes preparations for the Ms Great Britain finals in October, Charlotte says supporting grassroots charities across Doncaster and neighbouring communities remains incredibly important to her.

Charlotte said: “I absolutely loved taking part in the Bassetlaw Hospice PJ Walk. It was such a lovely atmosphere and seeing so many people walking through Retford in their pyjamas for such an important cause was brilliant.

“I spend a lot of my time working and volunteering across Doncaster and Bassetlaw, and I’ve never really seen community work as stopping at a town or county boundary.

“Whether I’m working on the Baton of Hope in Doncaster, supporting breast-cancer awareness through All In Pink or walking through Retford in my pyjamas for Bassetlaw Hospice, for me it’s about bringing people together and using whatever platform I have to support good causes.”

Charlotte was crowned Ms Great Britain Nottinghamshire 2026 in July and will represent the county at the national finals in Leicester in October.

While the crown and sash have given her another platform, Charlotte’s community and charity work began long before her latest title.

She has raised more than £3,000 for Samaritans, is a qualified Mental Health First Aider and has been involved in a number of charity and awareness campaigns across Doncaster and the surrounding area.

She is also involved with All In Pink and Bend & Check, which raise money and awareness around breast cancer and breast health.

Her latest major role will see her lead Doncaster’s involvement in the Baton of Hope Tour27.

Charlotte previously carried the Baton herself at British Steel in Scunthorpe during the 2025 tour and has since been appointed Project Lead for Doncaster.

The Baton will arrive in Doncaster on Monday 20 September 2027, with planning already underway and Baton Bearer applications now open.

Charlotte added: “My diary at the moment is slightly ridiculous but I genuinely wouldn’t have it any other way!

“One minute I can be in a business meeting in Doncaster, the next working on plans for the Baton of Hope, then putting on my crown and sash for an appearance – and apparently now walking around Retford in my pyjamas!

“But there is a serious reason behind all of it.

“Having a platform is only worthwhile if you use it. Supporting organisations like Bassetlaw Hospice and helping raise awareness of the incredible work happening right on our doorstep is something I’m very proud to do.

“And yes, I did manage to add another medal to the collection just not necessarily in the outfit you’d normally expect to see a beauty queen wearing!”

The PJ Walk raises funds and awareness for Bassetlaw Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care and support for patients and their families.