Fundraisers donate thousands to South Yorkshire charities

The charities were both presented with cheques for £1,000 ahead of Sheffield United’s game against Barnsley.

Actionaries is a group operated by UK charity Action for Blind People, which provides sport and leisure activities for visually-impaired children aged between four and 16.

Sheffield Sports Commentaries provides live commentary on all Sheffield United matches for the club’s visually-impaired fans, as well as hospital patients.

The money came from the Football Association as part of the profit made at the community Shield Final, played at Wembley.

Dave McCarthy, Operations Director at Sheffield United, said: “Each season every club receives a donation from the Football Association from the monies raised at the Community Shield Final.

“As a result, we have made a donation to these two exceptionally good causes, which provide vital facilities for visually-impaired children across Sheffield.

“Actionaries and Sheffield Sports Commentaries both do a crucial job in its community, and as a community-focused Club we’re more than happy to support them in any way we can. These are both very worthy causes.”

Another beneficiary of a fundraising event is Grindleford Primary school, which has received £8,000 following the popular Grindleford Gallop event, which attracted over 600 runners and walkers.

Participants completed a 21 mile route around the Peak District in an event organised by the Grindleford Parent, Teachers and Friends Association.

The money will be spent on a solar panel project at the school.

The race was won by Joe Fowler, who finished the course in a record time of two hours, 22 minutes and 24 seconds.

The first woman home was Kate Hastings of Totley AC, who completed the course in two hours, 57 minutes and 13 seconds.

Fundraisers pushed a hospital bed from a Dronfield pub to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to raise funds for the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre Appeal.

The event took place on the anniversary of the day Jolly Farmer landlord Ashley Tipper lost his grandmother to lung cancer.

Ashley, aged 30, said: “My world was ripped apart when I lost her. We were really close.

“I kept thinking, what do I do, how do I help, how do we cope?

“Me and my Nan often spoke about my fundraising and it is something she was very proud of and always supported me in.”

Mary Tipper, a retired nurse, had been treated for cancer in hospital last March for the fifth time in three months and was helping Ashley to plan the route before she died.

Ashley added: “We talked of the bed push and I asked if I could wheel her out for a test drive, always getting that look that only nans give you.”

“I did what I do best and threw everything I had into fundraising and making a difference for the charity I am so passionate about. This time, it was more personal than ever before.”

Sheffield physiotherapist Nanette Oakes is celebrating after completing the London Marathon for charity.

The 35-year-old crossed the finish line of this year’s London Marathon in four hours and 45 minutes to raise money for The Children’s Society, which

works with vulnerable children at risk of child sexual exploitation, neglect and poverty.

Nanette said: “Crossing the finish line of this year’s London Marathon is a big personal achievement and I’m so proud to have supported such a vital cause. It feels amazing.

“Some parts of the race were really tough but I know those miles won’t be as challenging as the experiences some children have to face every day. Knowing I was helping vulnerable young people across the country pulled me through the hardest times.”

The Children’s Society’s head of events, Stephanie Drummond, said: “Nanette’s inspiring efforts and passion for helping young people are humbling and we hope other people are motivated by her determination to make a difference.

“Every mile relentlessly accomplished by our runners will have raised funds to help us continue our life-changing work with children who often have nowhere else to turn.”

To find out more about Nanette’s fundraising challenge and to help her raise her target visit Nanette’s Just Giving Page

Amazon Action

A team of all-action adventurers from Amazon in Doncaster got muddy to raise cash for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Six men raised £300 after completing an obstacle course, topping up the £1,000 Amazon donated to the hospice last year.

Adam Pickles, who took part, said: “The team at Amazon in Doncaster loves a challenge and when we heard about Bluebell Wood’s efforts to raise money, we had to get involved. It’s an incredible charity doing vital work in our community and we’re passionate about supporting a great cause.”

Jo Berry, from Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, described the team’s fundraising as ‘magnificent’.