Leicestershire teen to hold Santa’s Grotto to raise funds for lifesaving charity

Leicestershire teenager, Joshua Bailey, is holding a Santa’s Grotto event in Nailstone Platinum Jubilee Park to raise vital funds to support the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA), as the charity celebrates 15 years of lifesaving service.

Joshua is an inspirational 17-year-old who despite experiencing bullying and bereavement, turned his focus to helping others through volunteering and community work – including litter picking, becoming a ranger for the country park, and competing at equestrian events. He was awarded Lord Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year for 2023 and Young Person of Courage for his inner strength and determination to help others in the local community.

Receiving these awards and assisting the community inspired Joshua to plan a Christmas campaign in 2023 to support the local lifesaving DLRAA. The festive events take place on Saturday 02, 09 and 16 December at Nailstone Platinum Jubilee Park, Ellistown, Coalville between 12-3.30pm. The events will include a Santa’s Grotto, raffle, variety of games, refreshments, charity stalls, and a woodland walk.

“After losing ‘momma Pat’ in 2020 who was a community spirited lady, we wanted to follow in her footsteps and continue her journey, which is why I became involved in a variety of volunteer and community opportunities,” said Joshua Bailey.

“We chose to support the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance with their lifesaving missions as both my brother Jack and I take part in dangerous sports where the help of the crew can be vital after an incident – I am an equestrian rider and my brother does competitive karting on both indoor and outdoor tracks.”

“If I can help just one person receive pre-hospital critical care after an incident while playing sport, then I will feel like I have achieved something,” he added.

Within minutes, DLRAA’s critical care crews can be on the ground delivering pre-hospital emergency care and giving patients the very best chance of survival – this vital service relies entirely on donations to raise the £1,700 needed for each rescue mission, as the charity receives no government or National Lottery funding.

Community Fundraising Executive for Leicestershire and Rutland, Julie Gray said:

“We would like to thank Joshua and his family for holding this Christmas spectacular over three weekends to raise vital funds to support our charity’s lifesaving missions in Leicestershire and further afield.”

“We receive no government or National Lottery funding for our vital missions and rely entirely on people within the local community to keep our charity saving lives. Joshua’s commitment to his local community is amazing and it is with support just like this that we are able to keep our helicopters flying and our crews providing pre-hospital critical care to those who need it most,” she expressed.

2023 has been a monumental year for the charity. It’s celebrated 50,000 missions, an overall ‘Outstanding’ CQC score, and 15^th anniversary of providing its lifesaving service across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The charity is continuing to encourage people to visit its charity stores and grab a bargain, donate unwanted clothing to one of many clothing banks, get involved in a challenge event, fundraise, or even sign up to volunteer.

Tickets can be booked here.