Santas Helpers - giving praise to those who helped at Christmas

With the New Year fast approaching and the Christmas celebrations winding down, we take a look at some of the special people of Glossop, New Mills and the Derbyshire area to give them praise for their hard work over the Christmas period.

Glossopdale Foodbank

The team over at Glossopdale Foodbank have helped out thousands of people with their food parcels over the winter period and more, and they deserve the highest of praise for their work.

The foodbank sorting centre on a weekday morning is a busy sight – volunteers packing away multiple food parcels, enough to feed one person fully for three days, before sending them off to the collection sites around Glossop, Hadfield and Gamesley. The food parcels have nourished thousands in the last months, and this is all thanks to the wonderful work Charlotte Kelly and the team of volunteers put in to feed those in need of help.

The meal packs they distribute are not just basics – they provide filling ingredients that are enough to fill up someone and provide them with nutrition for the three-day period. “We make sure there is a balanced diet in the packs,” Charlotte said, “and we link up with all the other food projects in the area to support all the people there.”

For anyone requiring a food parcel from the foodbank, there are collection points at Hadfield children’s centre, Glossop children’s centre and Gamesley children’s centre. Anyone is welcome to go down and self-referrals are accepted. For more information head to https://glossopdalefoodbank.org.uk/

Glossopdale Community Defibrillators

Glossopdale Community Defibrillators are a community volunteer led group that has purchased and installed lifesaving defibrillators across multiple locations around Glossop and the surrounding towns. They are more than deserving of high praise and have given life saving training in CPR to many as well.

Glossopdale Defibrillators have been a constant talking point in Glossop and the High Peak region, thanks to their amazing work in installing numerous defibrillators around the area. Spearheaded by Anthony Doyle and Adam Corbally, the group has raised tens of thousands of pounds – all of which they put back into the community.

And now the team are back with a new initiative. Giving it the title “the twelve defibrillators of Christmas”, Adam Corbally spoke more about the new installations. “we are aiming to get twelve defibrillators deployed and made available 24/7 as then there is a 70% higher chance that we can save a life than if a defib is only available 9-5 Monday to Friday. We are also supplying the cabinets to people that already have a defibrillator and that would make them 24/7 accessible.”

Adam and the rest of the team have already sorted out the delivery and installation of 6 of the defibs, which Adam told us more about. “Adam Bell from Building Projects Group has been very generous and kind and has got electricians to do a few of our sites.”

Adam was also grateful from help from another Glossop based company, saying "A massive supporter of our cause so far has been Robert, Brain and Paul Laing of Glossop Caravans who have pledged continued support for us into the New Year!"

Glossopdale Community Defibs and the wonderful GCD team are currently asking for help from electricians at multiple sites in Glossop and Hadfield. To get in touch about the locations and to offer help to Glossopdale Defibs, contact them through their Facebook page Glossopdale Community Defibs.

The Hummingbird Project

The Hummingbird Project is one of those places that deserves more than just praise in writing – the group behind it has provided thousands upon thousands of people with clothing, homeware, toiletries and so much more for when they need it the most.

The Hummingbird Project managed to help out a huge amount of people during its’ starting years, but this year has been a whole different story as Jo says. “Over the last 9 months we have seen a big increase in the number of people using us. I think the effects of COVID combined with the incredible costs of living is creating a perfect storm.”

Now in the winter period, things are not set to improve with the cost of living crisis. This something Jo and the team at The Hummingbird Project had a clear message to tell – “clothing, toys for children and gifts at Christmas for your children should not be considered a luxury, these are essential items and every single thing we have here is completely free to anybody. You do not need a referral but we work with referral agencies and schools in the area to reach out to families that may be struggling.” Jo said.

“We are seeing people choosing between food and electric bills at the minute - the idea that there are families and individuals out there that are stressed about just putting food on the plates and keeping the lights on at this time of the year means it’s going to be a really sad time of the year for a lot of people.”

The Hummingbird Project is going above and beyond to help as many people as possible during the festive period, and Jo told us of the many items that are available for people to come and collect free of charge.

To donate to the cause or if you are struggling during the festive period, The Hummingbird Project is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday 10am until 2pm and is located at Unit 3, Surrey Street, Glossop SK13 7AJ

Johnny Rawlins and Danny Morris 

This Glossop based duo completed a mammoth task this winter – a 24 hour bike ride up and down the Longendale trail.

This huge bike ride is all in aid of mens’ mental health and has seen the pair ride tirelessly through day and night all to raise money and awareness for the cause close to their hearts. The duo have done something that will benefit many in the community and they deserve a shoutout for their selfless effort.

 Talking about this further, Johnny said, “we are doing it for a charity a friend of mine runs that deals with mens’ mental health. He is a good mate of mine so I thought I would support him.”

Johnny was originally going to be doing the 24-hour bike ride solo, but Danny joined him after hearing about it from one of Johnny’s friends at the gym.

The ride has a fundraiser as well, which was initially set up with the goal of reaching £750, but Johnny said this goal was “absolutely smashed.” The fundraiser is to help the men’s mental health group LETS set up in https://gofund.me/5c4ed3b9