A group of Derby businesses have teamed up to organise a family friendly fundraising event.
Personalised gift company Colleague Box, cosmetics brand Divine Box and artist Carla Dee – who painted one of the giant Rams that formed part of the Derby Rams Trail last summer – will have pop-up shops at The Chocolate Factory – home of the Bustler Market – on Monday, April 11 where visitors can purchase gifts and soak up the atmosphere.
Chart-topping Derby band Marseille will also be performing and 100% of funds raised on the day will go towards DEC – Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
There will be a bouncy castle and entertainment for youngsters, plus live music, raffle prizes, street food and a donation station where visitors will be able to drop off much-needed donations of toiletries, blankets and non-perishable food items to be sent to families in Ukraine.
Natalie Bamford, of Colleague Box, has helped to organise the event. She said: “Derby is a city with a huge, kind heart and it has been touching to see how it has rallied round in support of the people of Ukraine.
“From schools doing bake sales to village halls becoming drop-off centres for donations, the generosity of the people of Derby never fails to amaze me.
“As a mum myself, I find it heartbreaking that families are being separated and having to flee their country. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing; Colleague Box donated 25% of our profits made in March to assist the brave people of Ukraine but organising a fundraising event with the incredible ladies who we recently worked with on our International Women’s Day gift box, seemed such a good idea to raise more money.
“Bustler have kindly offered to host the event for free and those who will have pop-up stalls – including exciting Spondon bakery Pat-A-Cake, So Good Kombucha, Candle Mad and jewellery business Letterbox Love – will all be doing their bit, too, to raise vital funds.”
Will Brown, of Marseille, added: “The incredible people of Derby have been so supportive of our journey so far and we are looking forward to taking part in this community fundraising event for the people of Ukraine.”
Natalie, who has also launched a new initiative alongside charity Derby County Community Trust called Great Girls Hub, which aims to get 11-16-year-old girls talking, added: “The majority of the activities and venue have been kindly donated for free, which is fantastic. But we are looking for businesses to sponsor (or provide) further activities. If you’re interested in this please email natalie.bamford@colleaguebox.co.uk”
Tickets for the event are available via EventBrite: Derby’s Ukraine Fundraiser Tickets, Mon 11 Apr 2022 at 16:30 | Eventbrite
And if you can’t make the date but would like to make a donation to the appeal, the fundraisers have set up a Go Fund Me page here: Fundraiser by Bustler Market : Derby’s Ukraine Fundraiser (gofundme.com)
