Borough Council's £3.5k boost for Christmas food & toy mission

Scores of struggling Erewash families who faced missing out on treats this Christmas are to get food hampers and toys for their children – thanks to a “Santa” mission that has been backed by a £3,500 grant from the borough council.

The festive cheer – organised by big-hearted locals – follows the launch of a new town hall fund to boost projects that benefit the community.

A total of £23,411 has been awarded to seven good causes thanks to what are called Member Grants – a scheme that since the summer has been running in parallel with Fast Funding grants that the authority was already offering to community initiatives. 

The difference is that to qualify for a Member Grant, organisations need their bid for up to £3,500 to be backed by a councillor. Ex-mayor Cllr Frank Phillips supported the charity Arena Community after it unveiled plans for its 2025 Christmas Appeal – aimed at “those in our community who are most in need”.

The food hampers and toys will go out to more than 43 families around Ilkeston, each with at least two children. The gifts are described as giving “a glimmer of hope and joy at the most special time of the year”.

Volunteer Lindsey-Jayne Trueman said Arena Church and its members aimed to push the Christmas appeal total to £10,000 by fundraising. She said of giving out toys: “Imagine, for a moment, having participated in the build-up and festivities at school, waking up with the expectation that you will receive something from Santa because you’ve been good, to find no gifts on Christmas morning and wondering why your good was not good enough!” 

A second Member Grant application that was backed by Cllr Phillips saw £3,500 going to the Friends of Park Cemetery – who help to keep the final resting place in Ilkeston looking its best. The money will go towards buying maintenance equipment, bulbs and compost.

The volunteer group’s secretary and treasurer Louise Henshaw said: “People travel to the cemetery to visit the graves of their loved ones from all over Erewash. One of our volunteers actually lives in Long Eaton, he is 82 years old and rides his bike to the cemetery to visit his wife's grave and to volunteer his time.” 

A town centre music festival that took place in August also received £3,500. The grant – which was supported by Cllr Harrison Broadhurst – helped pay for the stage that was erected on Ilkeston Market Place.

The Glow Music and Arts Fest was organised for a third year running by Paul Opiah, who edits the local Ilkeston Life newspaper. He said: “It brings people together to enjoy a fun and a positive day out. We want to support local talent and give families, young people and older residents something to enjoy close to home.”

Cotmanhay Community Network successfully applied for £2,772 thanks to Cllr Linda Burns so it can expand a lunch club it has been running. Meanwhile Erewash Scouts were supported by Erewash’s Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson as £3,500 was awarded – so 14 young people can learn to handle engine-powered boats. It means they will be able to use the craft to transport people and equipment across the River Trent, where there is a Scouts activity centre at Trent Lock. The training next year will be provided by the Royal Yachting Association.

More than 1,000 youngsters across the borough are involved in the Scouts. Matthew Micklewright, secretary of the local group, said: “Scouting is about giving young people skills for life, from teamwork and leadership to resilience and problem-solving. Trent Lock Scout Activity Centre is a unique facility in Erewash, offering adventurous outdoor activities in a water-based environment.”

Mayor Cllr Atkinson also backed the awarding of £3,438 to Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club – also based at Trent Lock. The funding will help improve boat storage and other facilities at what is the borough’s only rowing club. It was founded in 2011 and has more than 60 active members. The club says on its website: “All ages, abilities and aspirations are welcome. We currently run men’s, women’s, recreational and junior squads, so there really is something for everyone.”

The seventh organisation given a grant was Ilkeston Community Boxing Club, which received £3,201 towards new flooring and equipment, including jump boxes, punch bag and boxing ring canvas. The successful bid was supported Cllr Josy Hare, who is Erewash council’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing.

Fellow councillor Becca Everett, who is Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The new Member Grants have proved a huge success by helping to fund some fantastic causes across the borough. We would also urge community-minded organisations to check out the council’s website for information on our Fast Funding grants – which can be worth up to £1,500.”

Details are here: Community Grants | Erewash Borough Council