Charity

A Northamptonshire family is turning personal heartbreak into hope by hosting a special fundraising day at The Chester House Estate. The event is in support of the Twinkling Stars Appeal, a campaign led by Northamptonshire Health Charity to build a new maternity bereavement suite at Kettering General Hospital. Esmé Day, taking place on Tuesday 27 May, has been organised by parents Carmen and Chris Smith in memory of their daughter Esmé, who was tragically stillborn at 38 weeks. “Esmé would have been turning three this year,” said Carmen. “We wanted to mark the day with the kind of celebration we would have thrown for her, full of love, family, and joy. But more than that, we wanted to keep her name and her legacy alive. That’s how we parent her now.” Carmen and Chris were inspired to support the Twinkling Stars Appeal after hearing about it during their time in..

Today, on International Dance Day, Sensational Care Provisions proudly joins the global celebration of dance as a universal language of expression and community. As an organisation dedicated to empowering individuals of all abilities through inclusive activities, we know firsthand that dance is more than just movement — it’s a celebration and a chance to have fun! Whether it’s a groove in the kitchen, a choreographed routine with friends, or simply swaying to your favourite song, dance has the power to uplift, energise, and unite. At Sensational Care Provisions, we use dance as a dynamic tool to promote physical fitness, build community, and encourage emotional expression in safe, supportive spaces. “Dance reminds us to always have fun,” says Emily, Director at Sensational Care Provisions. “It allows our participants to express themselves freely, connect with others, and feel proud of who they are — all while getting in some feel-good movement.” To..

It’s not just about the miles. It’s about the memories, the love, and the legacy. This Sunday, as the iconic streets of London fill with cheering crowds and pounding feet, six incredible individuals will be running not just for the finish line—but for something far deeper. They’re taking on the 2025 London Marathon to raise vital funds for Cynthia Spencer Hospice—and so far, they’ve already pulled in over £12,000 (and counting). But behind every step they’ll take on 27 April is a story that matters. Aasha’s Tribute, 25 Years in the Making For Aasha Marenghi, this year’s marathon holds an aching poignancy—it marks a quarter-century since she lost her mum, who spent her final days under the compassionate care of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. “They didn’t just look after my mum,” Aasha shares. “They wrapped our whole family in care during the hardest time of our lives.” She set out to raise £1,750 in her mum’s honour. She’s already soared past..

March is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and is an opportunity to shine a light on this lesser known cancer. There are over 120 different types of primary brain tumours, which makes diagnosing this terrible cancer incredibly difficult. Add to that the fact that we still don’t understand what causes them and this makes it even more important to raise awareness of this non-discriminatory disease. Mark’s Mission – Friends pull together to raise vital funds Mark’s Mission was set up by a group of local friends Andrew Nicholson, Derek Middlemiss and Mark Monaghan following the devastating news in April 2024 that Mark had stage 4 Glioblastoma, an incurable brain tumour. Following his diagnosis, he underwent two different rounds of Chemotherapy and a major 7 ½ hour operation to remove most of one of his tumours. Unfortunately, as is the nature of this cruel disease, his tumours have all grown back and..

A Northamptonshire mother diagnosed with terminal cancer is preparing to launch a new charity designed to support others living with the condition through exercise-based initiatives. Victoria Skinner, 38, who has been living with cancer since 2015, is set to unveil The Tor-Rox Foundation at a formal launch event in Northampton on 26 March 2025. The charity, named in part after her nickname, ‘Tor’, will offer financial grants to help cancer patients access personalised exercise and wellness programmes. The mother of five-year-old Isla has raised more than £33,000 through a series of strenuous personal challenges, including a solo Hyrox competition, in her effort to fund the organisation. Her ultimate goal is to raise £40,000 to fully establish the Foundation. “The Foundation has been a year in the making,” said Ms Skinner. “Completing the solo Hyrox last year made me realise I wanted to do something that could benefit other cancer patients,..

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of glitz, glamour, and show-stopping dance moves as SENSational Care Provisions’ Strictly Come Dancing-inspired event arrives at The Deco Theatre on Sunday, 29th June 2025. Designed to celebrate inclusivity and talent, this event will showcase incredible skills as the SENsational team take to the dance floor, dazzling the audience with their production. The show promises to be an uplifting experience, bringing the local community together in support of an inspiring cause. Attendees can expect an evening filled with an electric atmosphere raising funds for The Tor Rox Foundation; a charity that provides cancer patients access to physical activity whilst undergoing a cancer diagnosis. To make this event possible, they are offering exclusive sponsorship packages to businesses and individuals: Bronze Sponsorship – £250 • ½ page advert in the event programme • Promotion on social media • 2 complimentary tickets • Name on the event..

 The Lewis Foundation has announced the date for its annual fundraising Gala Ball. To be held on Saturday 1st November 2025, the highly anticipated event promises an evening of entertainment, fine dining and fundraising in the beautiful Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, Northamptonshire. Now in its third year, this Gala Ball unites supporters, sponsors and guests for an unforgettable night, while raising vital funds to provide free gift packs and support for adult cancer patients undergoing treatment in 17 hospitals across the region. In 2024, the Gala Ball raised an outstanding £13,490, and this year, The Lewis Foundation is aiming to surpass that total. Lorraine Lewis, CEO and co-founder of The Lewis Foundation, said: "Our Gala Ball is always one of the most special nights of the year, bringing together people who are passionate about making a difference. Every ticket sold, every bid placed and every donation made directly helps us provide..

Experience the thrill of Royal Ascot Ladies Day without leaving Northampton at a glamorous charity event this summer. Cynthia Spencer Hospice is offering an afternoon of live action from Royal Ascot Ladies Day in an amazing immersive experience at Mercure Hotel Northampton on Thursday 19th June from 1pm to 7pm. Whether you’re an avid race goer or simply looking for a girly lunch with a difference, this special fundraiser will include live streaming of the Ascot races, a welcome drink and bespoke afternoon tea. As well as the races, guests will enjoy real betting totes, music, a photobooth, raffle, auction, fully licensed bar and a best dressed contest, all while raising money for the hospice, which provides incredible palliative care across West Northamptonshire. Cynthia Spencer Hospice Community and Events Fundraiser Sarah Sturman said: “This brand-new event is an exciting immersive experience where people can have a good time out with friends and..

A record number of 60 teams have signed up to take part in the Franklins £50 Challenge to raise money for 12 charities across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes. The Apprentice-style challenge sees teams receive £50 seed funding from the organisers – prominent legal firm Franklins Solicitors. The 2025 challenge kicked off on Monday 24 February and teams have until Friday 23 May to come up with creative ways to turn their initial £50 funding into as much money as possible for their chosen charity. The teams taking part this year range from sole traders such as Mindy Robinson of SophistiCake Creations in Northampton to teams from department store chain John Lewis & Partners. They also come from a wide range of industry sectors, including: accountancy, law, agricultural, recruitment, training, hospitality, catering, manufacturing, marketing and insurance, to name a few. Last year’s challenge saw teams fundraising by everything from bake sales..

The Lewis Foundation is asking businesses across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes to take part in this year’s Franklins Solicitors £50 Challenge and help raise vital funds for adult cancer patients in the community. As one of the chosen charities for this year’s challenge, The Lewis Foundation is encouraging businesses to take on the challenge of turning £50 into as much money as possible between 24th February and 23rd May 2025. The money raised will go towards helping the charity to provide over 2,000 free gift packs every month to adult cancer patients in local hospitals, including Northampton General, Kettering General and Milton Keynes University Hospital. The challenge is open to any business. Each participating company receives £50 from Franklins Solicitors, which they must use to raise as much money as possible. Creativity is encouraged and businesses are invited to use their entrepreneurial skills to make an impact. Participants will also..

Those looking to put some fabulous fun into fundraising should sign up for this summer’s Colour Run in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The unforgettable kaleidoscope of colour will take place on Sunday 8th June at Overstone Park in Northampton. The 5km fun run sees participants get covered in different coloured paint powder as they make their way around the course. Run, walk or dance, there’s no time limit or competition, just a fun event for friends, individuals, colleagues or family to help support this vital local cause. Plus, if on the day you decide that the distance is too far, there will be a shortcut point, where colour runners can turn back and do approximately half the distance! Registration is open now and early birds can benefit from discounted entry fees until 31st March. Adults cost £15, children £10 and family entry is £45. Under 5s go free. Anita..

Walk, glow and, make your own light show in a brand-new fundraising spectacular from Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Join the charity for their inaugural Twilight Walk on Saturday 10th May, a fun-filled opportunity to gather friends and family to take part in a 5km or 10km walk at dusk, bringing the Northamptonshire community together for a memorable evening to raise charity cash. The event starts and finishes at Delapré Abbey and participants are encouraged to carry glow sticks and light up accessories as they step out on the route, which is pavemented around the town centre. Everyone taking part will be given a T-shirt to wear for the uplifting event, which not only highlights the incredible work of Cynthia Spencer Hospice but gives people a chance to celebrate loved ones lost. Whether walking in memory or just for fun, participants can also take part in a lively warm up at the..

If you’re already finding your New Year’s resolutions a bit of struggle, Northampton-based charity the MND Association could provide you with all the inspiration you need. The MND Association, which is based on Moulton Park, is the biggest charity funder of MND research in the UK and relies on donations, as well as the efforts of its incredible fundraisers, to create a wave of support for people living with motor neurone disease (MND) and their families. This January, the Association is encouraging people to get involved in way they can – whether it’s by taking part in a run, testing their nerve with a skydive or by organising a quiz night with colleagues, family or friends. Every penny raised will allow the Association to reach many more people affected by MND – a neurological condition which affects up to 5,000 people in the UK at any one time. The MND..

Over 1,300 presents have been donated to the NLive Radio Christmas Present appeal 2024, demonstrating the kindness, love, and support their listeners and the public of Northampton have for those in need this Christmas. This is the third year Northampton’s local radio station NLive Radio has run the appeal, and the amount received has increased this year by over 20% and the presents worth an estimated £6,500 pounds have been distributed to the four partner local charities to go to those in need. Station Manager Martin Steers said, “I’m blown away by the generosity of Northampton, and am thankful to all those who have donated to this year’s appeal, I also want to thank all our donation locations, and our sponsor The Duston School without which our appeal wouldn’t be possible”. The four charities to receive the presents are Baby Basics Northampton, the Doddridge Centre, the Spring Charity, and the..

Runners with links to an award-winning Northampton optometrists will raise money for two sight charities when they take part in the London Marathon. Amar Dave, a dispensing optician at TK&S Optometrists in Kingsley Road, Northampton, will be attempting his first full marathon while raising funds for VICTA - a national charity that provides support to children and young adults up to the age of 29 who are blind or partially sighted and their families. Teenager Josh Funnell, whose father Richard is TK&S’s accountant, will also be running his first non-stop marathon in aid of Guide Dogs. His family look after Dennis, a three-year-old guide dog stud who has already sired two litters of pups who will go on to be working dogs. Both runners need to raise a minimum of £2,000 each to secure their place in the race and are appealing for donations to help reach their targets. Amar..