Half term Chesterfield Canal cruises

THE Chesterfield Canal Trust will be running half-term cruises from Hollingwood Hub.

Halloween cruises

Located at (S43 2PF), these are organised for Saturday 23rd, Monday 25th, Wednesday 27th and Saturday 30th. of October, with the trips on the 30th being Halloween cruises. The trips are about 50 minutes and cost £4 for under 16s and £6 for adults on Madeline.

You can also visit Katey’s Coffee Shop and the trust’s Information Centre & Shop and go for a walk along the canal. There is large free car park.

The cruises on Monday 25th are very special. All the money raised in fares will go to the charity CRY—Cardiac Risk in the Young. Anne Siddall explains the reason:

Very important

“The narrow boat Madeline is very important to my family and me. We visit her regularly during the year and on two significant days in July. We don't go for a trip but lay flowers on her in memory of our daughter. You see, on the 7th of July 2011, our daughter collapsed and died of a cardiac arrest (Young Sudden Cardiac Death, or YSCD). She was just 15 years old. There had been no warning signs and she appeared to be fit and healthy. She left behind devastated family and friends.

“So why is the boat so important to us? Because she is named after our beautiful daughter, Madeline. This is because Eckington School, where Madeline was a pupil, acquired the hull of the boat in 2011, the year Madeline died. After three years of building and fitting her out, the school asked if they could name her Madeline. Of course, we were more than happy to agree and the boat has been a very important part of our life since.

“Frighteningly, at least 12 young people die of YSCD a week. With 80% of these there will be no warning. It is the third highest killer of young people under the age of 35, after traffic accidents and suicide, yet there is no national screening programme to help detect the heart defects that cause it.

"Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity we have got to know well over the last 10 years. They are involved with
research into YSCD, bereavement support, screening and much more. We cannot thank the crew of Madeline enough for supporting them with this fundraiser.”

Have a wonderful cruise

So come for a wonderful cruise and, if possible, do it on Monday 25th. Either turn up on the day, or you can book on the trust’s website to be sure of your seat—simply search for Chesterfield Canal Trust.