Light in difficult times...second time lucky!

A pandemic, lockdowns and continued anxiety about new variants has made it a very difficult time and issues relating to mental health and well-being have affected many. Businesses on Dale Road in Matlock wanted to do something small to make a difference and initially started displaying stars in their window as a message of hope and togetherness in lockdown, they are still twinkling in the windows of many shops today. A number of stars were sold to local people, with £5 going into a 'pot' for local good causes. A Matlock resident nominated a local community organisation, The Connection Space CIC , to be the beneficiary of the fund raising because of their work to reduce isolation and create connections during lockdown.

'Magical' artwork

Then a local artist, Nick Leake, was so inspired by the stars and the spirit of community, that, he painted a beautiful, Van Gogh inspired painting . He kindly agreed that his painting (currently exhibited at Hide and Thread, at 117 Dale Road, Matlock), can be used as a way to raise funds. Now, this page has been set up as a way to raise fund for the Connection Space CIC, with the added incentive that every £5 donation can be recorded as a chance to win Nick's fabulous painting.

Donate and connect to join the 'lottery'

To be part of the lottery to win Nick's painting, just record your name when you donate and then email theconnectionspacecic@gmail.com with your name and the subject heading 'Starry Road Lottery, so we can add you to the 'lottery draw list.' If you'd rather stay anonymous, just forward your Just Giving donation email to the address above instead. Physical lottery tickets can also be purchased at Hide and Thread at 117 Dale Road. The Connection Space plan to use any funds for equipment and resources to develop an outdoor therapeutic space in Matlock. The lottery will be drawn by Mary Derrick, co-founder of The Connection Space CIC, at Hide and Thread on Tuesday December 21st.

Second time lucky…

If you feel like you’ve seen this before, don’t fear, you are not losing it, something awful happened on our first fundraising attempt. We didn’t submit the bank details to Just Giving in time and the donations were automatically re-funded and the page closed down. It was absolutely gutting as we were doing really well with fund raising. It was one of those ‘blood-run-cold moments’, we went in to check the progress and the page simply didn’t exist. Sometimes, when you’re juggling many balls, you drop one. Sincere apologies it was this one. So, if you’re seeing this again, we hope you won’t let the human error put you off supporting this amazing cause. And thank you to those who got in touch after donations were refunded and encouraged a second attempt, your consolation at the time and motivation to give it another go was very much appreciated x