More than £20,000 has been given out to local charities from proceeds raised by holding the 2021 Glossop Bonfire and Fireworks Display.

The cash was raised by the event organised by Glossop and District Round Table and has now been distributed among several good causes across Glossopdale.

Those that benefited include Glossop Mountain Rescue Team, Haywill Animal Sanctuary in Glossop, Bellies Not Bins, and The Hummingbird Project. 

Jo Gregory, from Hummingbird, gave a presentation to the event at Tintwistle Athletic Football Club on Wednesday night (26 January). In it, she showed that they have collected 60 tonnes of aid for refugees, sent 15,000 teddies out to needy children and 16,000 items of clothing. The clothing is given out to local people who need it along with school uniforms.

Jo (left) receiving the donation from Karl Smith of Glossop and District Round Table

Jo said: "It’s fantastic to be given a donation from the Round Table. We are currently looking for new premises as my house and cellar are absolutely stuffed with donations. We are overwhelmed by people’s generosity, especially in the run-up to Christmas when locals donated children’s toys which we were able to give out to local families.”

Gill Cross, from Bellies Not Bins which is run by Hadfield Coming Together group, also received a donation.

Gill receiving the cash donation from Karl Smith of Glossop and District Round Table

She told us about the work the group does, saying: "We are a local, inclusive group aiming to bring our community together to help and support people through poverty or times of need. We will enhance opportunities and learning to create a healthier and more responsible lifestyle, healthy eating, budgeting, recycling…through regular signposting and activities provided at low or no cost to the community.

“We sent out 4,417 food parcels out last year to help local families. At the moment we’re sending out around 88 parcels a week and the need doesn’t seem to be easing up. We also provide meals at Carmel Church in Hadfield every Thursday." 

Other local charities to benefit include People of Whitfield who provide food parcels, Dinting Scouts, Glossop Mountain Rescue and Hadfield Bowling Club.

Ian Cranston from the bowling club said: “It’s a very welcome donation. We are currently trying to get more youngsters interested in crown green bowls and we are now able to buy smaller bowls so children can get involved and play alongside their families. We are also hoping to set up a ladies team. We didn’t have enough players last year so had to compete with a mixed team. We hope this year more ladies will come along and want to play.”

Ian Cranston (right) with Karl Smith of Glossop and District Round Table

More donations were handed out to Haywill Animal Sanctuary, Hadfield Infants School and Bradbury Community House in Glossop.

Chairman of Glossop and District Round Table, Karl Smith, told the Chronicle: "The bonfire involves a lot of hard work. Once we’d dealt with the accounts, we found we had £20,200 to put back into local causes. The majority of charities we have donated to have found it increasingly difficult to support the level of demand that there is out out there at the moment.

"As some organisations are bigger than others, we work it out on size. Some have got £2,500 and others £500. It feel good to be able to give something back to the local community." 

Planning the Glossop Bonfire for 2022 will begin in the summer.

Organisers say last year’s event was the biggest and best ever.

A cheque showing the final amount raised by Glossop and District Round Table's Bonfire and Fireworks Display

Images by Anthony Mckeown 

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