High Sheriff’s service to raise funds for homeless

The High Sheriff of Derbyshire’s virtual legal service hosted by Derby Cathedral is set to raise vital funds for YMCA Derbyshire.

The High Sheriff, Tony Walker, named the charity, which helps homeless young people, as one of his chosen charities for his year in office.

Due to the current climate, planned fundraising events for YMCA were cancelled, but this has not stopped Tony from doing his utmost to raise funds for causes close to his heart.

The legal service is usually held at Derby Cathedral and attended by over 400 people.

Its purpose is to give thanks for our freedom, the Queen’s peace and our national heritage.

This year, the service will also take the opportunity to respect, recognise and give thanks for those involved in the front line fighting of the pandemic.

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There will be contributions from the NHS, care sector, the police and the judiciary.

The service will be premiered online at 2.30pm on Sunday, 31 January, on Derby Cathedral’s YouTube page. After that, it will be available at bit.ly/derbycathedral .

As there can be no collection at the virtual service, Tony is asking attendees to consider donating to YMCA Derbyshire through Virgin Giving online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/High-Sheriff-Derbyshire-Legal-Service.

Tony said: “I want to help those who are for some reason having a tough time.

“The aim is to enable them to fulfil their potential, grow as individuals, be contributing members of society and have a good quality of life.

“YMCA Derbyshire is a charity that is very close to my heart. I see first-hand the work they do to support young people most in need and I am delighted to choose them as one of my chosen charities for my year in office.

“If I can make a small difference, I will feel it has been a worthwhile year.”

Gillian Sewell, chief executive of YMCA Derbyshire, said: “We are extremely grateful to the High Sheriff, who has supported our organisation in so many ways over many years.

“It is an honour to have been chosen as one of his charities of choice. Our young people need support now more than ever.

“The funds raised through the virtual legal service will not only help us to continue to provide the vital additional support our young people need to move forward it sends a clear message as to how valued they are.”