• I am championing this project to create a great new community space and bio-diversity hub a short walk from the historic, but in parts socially deprived, town of Staveley - once the home of heavy industries like iron, steel, chemicals and mining.

Who are we?
I have been a member of the Chesterfield Canal Trust for 30 years and a Trustee for 13. I am the Publicity Officer and work in our Information Centre & Shop at Hollingwood Hub. A retired Maths teacher, I am one of about 200 volunteers for the Trust - all keen to see the canal restored for both local people and wildlife. Come down to our Hollingwood Hub (in the picture above) and see how busy we are with cyclists, walkers, runners, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards for hire and people doing skipper training with the National Community Boats Association. You don’t have to be active already, just come along and our friendly volunteers will welcome you.

Why are we crowdfunding?
Turning derelict land into a beautiful canal is what we do! This project is raising funds to create another brilliant new community space by the canal at Hartington. At present the walking/cycling trail there is just rough ground and steep slopes but over the next 18 months we will build the new canal, the new Trans-Pennine Trail bridge, a picnic area, and a new lock. We will make this fully accessible to the many people who use mobility scooters or other aids to get about and for the less confident or less fit walkers/cyclists.

Community impact 
We are more than halfway to our fundraising target to beautify the area with 60 trees (some semi-mature); 200 metres of hedging; 12 benches including four wheelchair accessible ones; native wildflowers, signs and information boards, accessible paths and landscaping. Our new information boards will encourage people to learn about and help tackle climate change and our planting will take this into account.

Everyone I meet, from local dog-walkers to long distance cyclists, wants us to create well managed, and safe places to go and enjoy nature and meet friends etc. 

How we'll spend the money raised
In return for your donations, we volunteers are committed to help manage these new spaces in future years for the free enjoyment of all. Indeed, you too would be welcome to join in our volunteer groups helping with the lock side garden; water sports equipment hire; managing vegetation; or with our management or administration.

How you can help
If you make a donation, it would mean so much to us - not only knowing that we have your support but also that we can match fund and gift aid most donations more than doubling the value of your gift.

Please have a good look at our website - or better still come and visit us at Hollingwood Hub or on one of our four trip-boats - we'd love to see you and tell you all about our plans. 

Rod Auton.