Get your Santa suit ready – The Derby Santa Run is back!
Kick off the festive season and join us on Sunday 30th November at Markeaton Park for the popular Derby Santa Run.
No running experience necessary! Whether you want to run, jog, dance or stroll, our 5k course is perfect for everyone!
Enjoy festive tunes from our brass band, snap photos and explore the seasonal stalls packed with family-friendly fun.
Cost is £15 with every ticket including:
- Entry to The Derby Santa Run 2025
- FREE santa suit and beard
- FREE finisher’s medal (kindly sponsored by TrentBarton)
- MEET fellow supporters and trustees of the DCHC
- An opportunity to meet Lambie, (the Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity Mascot)
Run, jog or walk 5km – it’s all about festive fun whilst raising funds for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre!
When you register to sign up for the run, you’ll be asked which charity you want to support – please choose Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre so more children from Derby & Derbyshire can enjoy a life-changing seaside holiday.
Sign up here:- https://www.thederbysantarun.co.uk/
📢 It's time to meet another member of our team! 📢
This week, it's the turn of our long-standing chair, Mike Copestake.
❓Why did you get involved with the DCHC?
I became a trustee in the early 1980s. Nigel Thorpe was the Chair and needed a lawyer. I was well and truly hooked. I've always been interested in giving children with less life chances a leg up and the Charity has enabled me to make a small contribution towards this.
Over the years I have seen each of our Centre Managers pour an enormous amount of love and care into their guests. None more so than our current Centre Manager, Ali Byerley. What immediately attracted me was the transformative effect of a holiday in Skegness on the children who went. It wasn't just a holiday, although all the children I saw seemed to be enjoying themselves. It seemed to give children a glimpse into what was possible for them in Life. Schools report better attendance in class from children who go to the Centre. A number of ex alumni have certainly gone on to achieve success in all sorts of areas. I would like to think that the Charity has helped them in a small way.
❓What does your role involve?
Initially I joined as a lawyer, since when I have helped the Charity handle all sorts ranging from constitutional issues, fundraising, betting, childcare, property matters, employment etc. I was a Corporate Lawyer and one unusual event was when I helped a client avoid a significant amount of tax in exchange for a large donation to the Charity.
I have managed a couple of bike rides to Skegness, a solo parachute jump, a marathon and quite a few half marathons – all to raise money.
As Chair my role is to help our very capable CEO, Janine Holmes, including being a sounding board, helping with fundraising, advice on constitutional matters, setting the agenda for board meetings and chairing them.
My company, Great Northern Classics Derby, holds a regular open day for the Charity. I also make myself available for our very competent board of trustees when required.
❓Best moments?
Best moments are when I go to the Centre and see the children, playing table football, pool and air hockey with them. I'm afraid I didn’t have the nerve to get on to the Raging (rodeo style) Bull.
One memorable moment was when I went to give a careers talk to the children and asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. A lad at the front said he couldn’t make his mind up whether he wanted to be a nuclear physicist or a tattoo artist!
Other memorable moments were reopening in the 90s after we had to pause holidays when local authorities withdrew funding and this year when we announced that we would be reopening in 2026.
❓Best thing about Skegness?
Apart from the Centre – a walk along the promenade and fish and chips.
❓Coast or countryside?
Being Derbyshire Born and Bred I have to say the countryside. I love walking in the Peaks and visiting mountainous countries. I am proud to confess that I am a landlubber!!!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🌟 Want to volunteer with us?
We’re now recruiting Fundraising Volunteers and Holiday Care Team Volunteers for 2026 — and we’d love to meet you!
Come along to our Volunteer Welcome Event to find out more, meet the team, and see how you can help give Derbyshire children the holiday of a lifetime next summer.
📅 Wednesday 26th November
🕕 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Melbourne House, 8 Bold Lane, Derby, DE1 3NT
Whether you want to support fundraising through the year or join our care teams in Skegness next year, there’s a role for you.
No pressure, no commitment — just come along and see what it’s all about.
👉 Find out more: forms.office.com/e/si9mvggAxE
(www.dchc.org.uk/volunteering)
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
I know to of the ladies when I use to go they are amazing ladies xx
A great opportunity for anyone that has some spare time and a passion to help young people during their challenges. Holidays are so important for all of us and disadvantaged children having the chance to find fun and friends is often their way to see a brighter future ahead. Come and join us on Wednesday evening for a catch up and chance to see how volunteering can be inspirational not only for the children but for you as well.
We're so excited to be finalists in the Derby Impact Awards tonight!
Organised by Derby Social Ventures and sponsored by Nimbus Disability, these awards are a celebration of all the charities, B-Corps and organisations passionate about social impact in our wonderful city of Derby.
We're delighted to be finalists in the 'Enterprising Charity of the Year' category and we're really looking forward to what promises to be an inspiring evening of celebration.
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is fantastic news, and you thoroughly deserve it!
Fingers crossed you win!
Great news and very well deserved.
Did you know that over 1 in 5 Derbyshire children now live in poverty?
We know their parents have to chose between essentials and luxuries like a holiday or days out. We can stand in this gap for those children and families and provide the gift of a warm bed, proper meals, and time to just be a child and have some fun - building friendships and confidence.
This December, you’ll have the chance to help us provide that — and your gift could be DOUBLED.
More soon. 💛
Bookmark this page now!
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006X80AYAS
#BigGive BigGive #christmaschallenge
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
📢 It's time to meet another member of our team! 📢
This week, it's the turn of our long-standing chair, Mike Copestake.
❓Why did you get involved with the DCHC?
I became a trustee in the early 1980s. Nigel Thorpe was the Chair and needed a lawyer. I was well and truly hooked. I've always been interested in giving children with less life chances a leg up and the Charity has enabled me to make a small contribution towards this.
Over the years I have seen each of our Centre Managers pour an enormous amount of love and care into their guests. None more so than our current Centre Manager, Ali Byerley. What immediately attracted me was the transformative effect of a holiday in Skegness on the children who went. It wasn't just a holiday, although all the children I saw seemed to be enjoying themselves. It seemed to give children a glimpse into what was possible for them in Life. Schools report better attendance in class from children who go to the Centre. A number of ex alumni have certainly gone on to achieve success in all sorts of areas. I would like to think that the Charity has helped them in a small way.
❓What does your role involve?
Initially I joined as a lawyer, since when I have helped the Charity handle all sorts ranging from constitutional issues, fundraising, betting, childcare, property matters, employment etc. I was a Corporate Lawyer and one unusual event was when I helped a client avoid a significant amount of tax in exchange for a large donation to the Charity.
I have managed a couple of bike rides to Skegness, a solo parachute jump, a marathon and quite a few half marathons – all to raise money.
As Chair my role is to help our very capable CEO, Janine Holmes, including being a sounding board, helping with fundraising, advice on constitutional matters, setting the agenda for board meetings and chairing them.
My company, Great Northern Classics Derby, holds a regular open day for the Charity. I also make myself available for our very competent board of trustees when required.
❓Best moments?
Best moments are when I go to the Centre and see the children, playing table football, pool and air hockey with them. I'm afraid I didn’t have the nerve to get on to the Raging (rodeo style) Bull.
One memorable moment was when I went to give a careers talk to the children and asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. A lad at the front said he couldn’t make his mind up whether he wanted to be a nuclear physicist or a tattoo artist!
Other memorable moments were reopening in the 90s after we had to pause holidays when local authorities withdrew funding and this year when we announced that we would be reopening in 2026.
❓Best thing about Skegness?
Apart from the Centre – a walk along the promenade and fish and chips.
❓Coast or countryside?
Being Derbyshire Born and Bred I have to say the countryside. I love walking in the Peaks and visiting mountainous countries. I am proud to confess that I am a landlubber!!!
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🌟 Want to volunteer with us?
We’re now recruiting Fundraising Volunteers and Holiday Care Team Volunteers for 2026 — and we’d love to meet you!
Come along to our Volunteer Welcome Event to find out more, meet the team, and see how you can help give Derbyshire children the holiday of a lifetime next summer.
📅 Wednesday 26th November
🕕 6:00pm – 7:30pm
📍 Melbourne House, 8 Bold Lane, Derby, DE1 3NT
Whether you want to support fundraising through the year or join our care teams in Skegness next year, there’s a role for you.
No pressure, no commitment — just come along and see what it’s all about.
👉 Find out more: forms.office.com/e/si9mvggAxE
(www.dchc.org.uk/volunteering)
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
I know to of the ladies when I use to go they are amazing ladies xx
A great opportunity for anyone that has some spare time and a passion to help young people during their challenges. Holidays are so important for all of us and disadvantaged children having the chance to find fun and friends is often their way to see a brighter future ahead. Come and join us on Wednesday evening for a catch up and chance to see how volunteering can be inspirational not only for the children but for you as well.
We're so excited to be finalists in the Derby Impact Awards tonight!
Organised by Derby Social Ventures and sponsored by Nimbus Disability, these awards are a celebration of all the charities, B-Corps and organisations passionate about social impact in our wonderful city of Derby.
We're delighted to be finalists in the 'Enterprising Charity of the Year' category and we're really looking forward to what promises to be an inspiring evening of celebration.
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is fantastic news, and you thoroughly deserve it!
Fingers crossed you win!
Great news and very well deserved.
Did you know that over 1 in 5 Derbyshire children now live in poverty?
We know their parents have to chose between essentials and luxuries like a holiday or days out. We can stand in this gap for those children and families and provide the gift of a warm bed, proper meals, and time to just be a child and have some fun - building friendships and confidence.
This December, you’ll have the chance to help us provide that — and your gift could be DOUBLED.
More soon. 💛
Bookmark this page now!
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000006X80AYAS
#BigGive BigGive #christmaschallenge
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
