Sheffield charity pairs with local businesses to raise money this Christmas
A Sheffield-based charity hosted its annual Festive Quiz at Marmaduke's Sorting Office this week to raise money for the organisation and emphasise the importance of community over the Christmas period.
Grow is a youth development charity that works with young people who suffer from poor mental health, social isolation, and, as a result, a lack of job opportunities.
The organisation uses therapeutic practices, paired with nature-based activities, to "inspire hope and unlock potential in young people."
Head of marketing and events, Lesley Ellerby, 41, said: "We host a number of events throughout the year and they're great for profile building and awareness raising for Grow.
"Grow is a relatively small charity so it's important to find ways to communicate with people in Sheffield and beyond."
Examples of the prizes donated by local businesses included the coveted "prize tree" (pictured above), four tickets to a Sheffield Sharks game, a trip to Wentworth House for two, and pie meals at the Nottinghamshire House pub.
Ms Ellerby said: "We do feel Sheffield as a city is quite big on supporting local initiatives and, being one of those, I think the appetite to support local charities like Grow is there as well."
Attendees at the event also seemed to enjoy the community feel of the event and the opportunity to celebrate the Christmas period together.
George Foster, 33, a volunteer at Grow and member of the Board of Trustees, said: "Events like this don't exclude anybody and are a very nice and inclusive place."
The event on Wednesday was a display of community and an opportunity to support local businesses, paired with the chance for many to enjoy the festive fun.
To find out more about Grow and support their work, click here.
Today on Sheffield Wire
Good morning and welcome to today’s Sheffield Wire news coverage on Friday 5 December 2025.
Our top stories today include:
- Rugby legend, Kevin Sinfield, arrives in Sheffield as part of his ongoing ultramarathon fundraiser. Reporter, Madeline Avery, speaks to the man himself about his journey so far.
- Residents' anger over Council's proposed plans to build new housing on greenbelt site grows. Reporters, Max Carson and Rosie Peters-McDonald, find out more.
- Hillsborough woman talks to reporter, Faye Bramley, about the sacrifices involved in caring for her recently paralysed sausage dog.
Survivor of domestic abuse calls out for more support: “I am one of the lucky ones”
Women from South Yorkshire and a Labour MP united to discuss and combat the risk of violence, addressing the importance of extra support from health services and accountability for perpetrators.
Jess Phillips, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, attended the town hall meeting virtually at which survivors also shared their experiences.
She highlighted that 80% of children who have experienced sexual violence are turned away as the supported needed is too complex and this effects the vast majority of adult survivors as well.
Miss Phillips said: "Our system doesn't just disbelieve people.
"I've rarely met a sexual violence victim or a domestic abuse victim who didn't say that the court process was worse than the abuse."
Organisations such as Sheffield's Women Aid work to fill the gap of support left by national services. Hollie Venn, CEO of SWA, described the work they have done to offer mental support, campaign for change and provide safe accommodation extending beyond the six months refuge limit set by most other services.
Survivor and campaigner, Charmian Owston, moved to Sheffield to receive the support from SWA, which was the only charity at the time that also housed pets.
She said: "I was not willing to leave my dogs. They were the only thing that had kept me alive and kept me going and giving me a purpose.
"I was willing to sleep in a park rather than leave my dogs."
Ms Owston described how, as a recovering addict who suffered a difficult childhood, she was in a vulnerable position, which her perpetrator exploited, gaslighting and controlling her to believe that his treatment was acceptable.
At SWA she felt comfortable and supported, and learnt the severity of her abuse. She has now been diagnosed with complex PTSD and is proud to help advocate for other survivors.
She said: "I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm one of the lucky ones, and I'm really passionate about this, and I'll talk to any lady. I'll go to any lengths to help anybody altruistically.
"That's what feeds me."
Women left disappointed over lack of men at a conference tackling gender based violence
Written by Komal Chauhan and Lysia Wright
The 'Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls' conference only saw one man present at the conference for the first three hours, Councillor Ibby Ullah.
Cllr Ullah signified the importance of the growing violence against women which is the aim of the campaign.
Sheffield Town Hall housed the conference today in light of White Ribbon Day, an annually recognised day that attempts to raise awareness of men's violence against women.
Cllr Ullah raised significant issues in his speech, stating "Men should do more to speak up and we as men have a very important role in this."
White Ribbon Day is a day a part of the global '16 Days of Activism' Campaign that urges the recognition of violence endured by women.
They emphasise the statistic that 1 in 4 women will be a victim to sexual assault or attempted assault in their lifetimes.
In light of this, the White Ribbon Campaign has this year partnered with 16 men from different backgrounds who have become ambassadors to bring awareness to the rising level of violence against women and children.
Given this, the lack of male cooperation in the conference comes as a shock to this year's attendees.
Pam Daniel, a coaching mentor and attendee of the conference, stated "more men need to be here and hear what we saw today".
Cllr Ullah highlighted in his speech that 63% of men have admitted that they are not doing enough to keep women safe. He added: "many boys and young men are learning about masculinity from the wrong role models".
This marks the lack of education that is available for young men and the danger of toxic masculine ideals being infiltrated into vulnerable minds.
Politician, Jessica Rose Phillips, also attended the conference. Mrs Phillips also emphasised: "The Government has to focus on what gets taught universally".
Although Mrs Phillips signed a law that made it a legal obligation for schools to report cases of domestic abuse, she believes that this is not enough.
Sheffield businesses combating overconsumption this Black Friday “our soul is not for sale”
As promotions begin, some businesses are bringing alternatives to the typical Black Friday trends of overspending and overconsumption with more ethical practices.
According to PwC, Black Friday spending today in the UK is expected to rise by 1.5% on last year’s numbers to £6.4bn.
Although interest in Black Friday appears to have decreased, from 53% of shoppers last year to 46% this year, the average spend is expected to rise by 13% to £262 per head.
This is the highest level of spending since before the pandemic.
The day creates an extra 1.5 million tonnes of waste in the UK per year, according to businesswaste.co.uk.
Cosmetics retailer Lush is out-right refusing to participate in the event, saying “our soul is not on sale.”
They cite a commitment to year-round fair pricing, preventing wasteful purchases, refusal to create misleading sales and a dedication to only hosting occasional sales of older products.
Lucy, a Lush customer, said she wasn’t aware of Lush’s opposition to Black Friday, but thought it was a good idea.
She said: “I think it’s good because a lot of people can’t afford things they need to get for people at Christmas, but bad because people panic buy; they buy stuff they don’t actually need.”
Suzy, an employee at GoodGoodVintage on Carver Street disagrees with the ethics of Black Friday but, working at a vintage clothing store, sees the difference selling pre-owned items makes.
She said: “The general Black Friday approach is throwaway culture, which I don’t think we’re all about.”
She also acknowledged the difficulties in competing with e-commerce platforms: “It has been very quiet, I think a lot of people shop online to save.”
Dr Panayiota Alevizou, Marketing Lecturer at Sheffield University, made it clear Black Friday is an important event for businesses calling it a “promotional masterclass” and noting the £13.3bn in 2023 Black Friday sales.
She understands the personal impact the event has on daily life, she said: “Businesses deliberately create urgency and the fear of missing out, and today that pressure is everywhere.
“As a mother to a teenager, I try to keep Black Friday talk out of our household spending, but it is still part of our conversations.”
She is calling for better balance between consumer behaviour, business marketing and consumption.
She added: “Marketers need to rethink what we mean by consumption. [Create] an alternative kind of rush that comes from refusing to be pulled into the overconsumption narrative.”
Despite the efforts of some businesses, with around 80% of items ordered online and only 12% of that for click-and-collect, the rise in Black Friday spending and the accessibility and convenience offered by e-commerce are likely to continue in tandem.
Black Friday the last thing on Sheffield shoppers’ minds
Sheffield's retailers have spoken out against Black Friday saying it "doesn't make sense for them" as shoppers continue to prioritise online shopping sites over high street discounts.
Small businesses across the city have explained they feel pressure from shoppers to take part in deals and keep up with the larger national retailers such as M&S and Primark.
Isobel Stapleton, who works at Vulgar Vintage on Devonshire Street, explained because they have a predominantly student customer base they feel under pressure to have discounts.
She said: "We do like to cater to them but it's hard to discount vintage clothes."
Other Sheffield independent shops are choosing not to take part at all.
Assistant Manager Ryan Milner from Within Reason on Devonshire Street explained he felt no need to have a major sale, calling the day "weirdly commercial and doesn't make a lot of sense".
He also believes the stores involvement is unnecessary as they still expect higher footfall today due to the busy city centre.
However when SheffieldWire visited The Moor, once the focal shopping point of Sheffield city centre, at lunchtime on Black Friday the area felt quiet with no signs of busy shoppers queuing for bargains.
Instead of shopping, unenthused Sheffielders were just nipping out of work on their lunch break to grab a bite to eat, rather than spending their money buying the latest bargains.
When SheffieldWire reporters approached people in the area, shopping was the last thing on their mind.
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One such man, Paul French, 47, was aware it is Black Friday as "it's all over TV" but he had no plans to do any shopping in The Moor.
Others explained they planned to complete their Christmas shopping using online discounts rather that run alongside Black Friday or until Cyber Monday which follows.
Emily Moon, 21, said: "Although the deals are sometimes better in store, I've completed my Christmas shopping online just more because it's more convenient."
Pete McKee launches limited edition print to support Teenage Cancer Trust
Sheffield artist Pete McKee has released a limited edition print celebrating Richard Hawley's 2003 Royal Albert Hall performance in support of Teenage Cancer Trust.
In 2003, Hawley, the Sheffield born musician and singer-song writer, supported Coldplay for a concert in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall and 22 years later, Mr McKee has immortalised the event in a run of prints to provide more vital support for the charity.
The artwork is part of the 'History of Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall' music poster series commemorating 25 years since the first concert at the historic venue in support of the charity.
In 2025 the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts at the Royal Albert Hall made £2 million bringing the total to £36 million since they started the events in 2000.
Mr McKee told Sheffield Wire: "I have been an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust for some years now and have had the pleasure of seeing first hand the amazing work the team there do.
"Being diagnosed with cancer at any stage of your life is devastating but imagine what it must be like when you're a teenager, going through everything life throws at you already at that age."
He added: "The shows the charity organise each year at the Albert Hall are a wonderful thing and I have been producing these prints for them for some years now, so when I was asked to produce a print for this Richard I jumped at the chance."
The prints are hand signed by both McKee and Hawley and are available on the Teenage Cancer Trust Website.
All purchases support the important work that Teenage Cancer Trust do.
Image Courtesy of McKee Gallery
Sheffield homelessness charity launch ‘controversial’ exhibit as rough sleeping increases
A Sheffield homelessness charity unvelied its 'Concrete Dreamz' display in the city centre with the aim of showing the harsh reality that is faced by those sleeping on the streets.
The unusual 'mattress shop' of concrete slabs has been put on show at Bethel Chapel by The Archer Project.
Through this display, the charity hopes to start conversations with people and widen their understanding on the severity and complexity surrounding homelessness.
Talya Stitcher, the Communications and Fundraising Officer at The Archer Project acknowledged the exhibit is unique.
She said: "We know that this might be controversial but the winter campaign headline is literally 'homelessness is no joke' because we know first hand as a charity in the sector just how serious it is."
The charity, which is based at Sheffield Cathedral, has been running for over 30 years, but in the last three years they have noticed a significant increase in the number of people they are supporting.
This growth has meant that resources and employment has become more expensive to maintain as well as it getting more difficult to provide help to those who need it.
Ms Stitcher said: "Any organisation will tell you it's getting worse and they're overstretched as we are too."
With the help of marketing agency Black Eye Project, who came up with the 'retail showroom' concept, they have had this exhibition in the works for almost a year.
The charity have found it increasingly challenging to constantly capture the public's attention on the brutality of homelessness.
"It's very difficult to engage with people on something that I think we're very desensitised to just as a general public," Ms Stitcher said.
"There's only so many times you can take a photo of someone who's experiencing homelessness looking downtrodden or sad and lonely before that actually just doesn't work anymore."
The public are being urged to attend and connect with the exhibit, which will be on display for two weeks, and donate wherever possible so that the unacceptable conditions many are in can be prevented.
British Figure Skating Championships return to Sheffield for 15th year
The British Figure Skating Championships take place in Sheffield this week, marking the 15th year the tournament has been held in the city.
From 25 to 30 November, senior and junior contestants from across the British Commonwealth will take part in singles and pairs events, hoping to be crowned British Champions in their respective categories at Ice Sheffield.
Lilah Fears and Lewis Gibson, GB's first world medallists in 41 years, will be hoping to win a record-breaking eighth British ice dance title as they take on Sheffield's own Lily Matthias and Henry Privett-Mendoza.
The rhythm dance, the first performance of the contest, took place today as the contestants hoped to start off their competition with a strong opener.
The proceedings opened with Nottingham's Layla Karnes and Freddie Leggott, as their dance to This Is How We Do and Cotton Eyed Joe got the day's premier contest underway.
The opening couple scored 46.12.
Soon after, Sheffield's competitors Matthias and Privett-Mendoza took to the ice with a Spanish-salsa themed routine in the second show of the afternoon.
Matthias donned a bright orange salsa dress for the routine, which was confidently performed by the pair and scored 43.54.
The local pair seemed to feel that there was more to give, as they did not celebrate after their performance.
They finished the afternoon fifth in the table, in a competition field of seven.
Fears and Gibson opened with their rhythm dance to Wannabe by the Spice Girls, mirroring the theme of their routine.
The British pageantry theme saw Fears don a sparkling Spice Girls inspired leotard, and the GB colours popped against the ice as the pair performed some stunning lifts and tricks.
The defending champions scored almost twice the Sheffield pair, with 86.28.
After performing, Fears and Gibson seemed very happy, celebrating with their fans and giving back to the crowd with selfies and chats.
They denied an interview after competition, as they chose to focus on the final tomorrow afternoon, but the performance left them in a good place going into their free dance performance.
The free dance event is historically their most successful, and so the pair seem very well set to smash the record by the end of this competition.
Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, with a score of 77.87, placed comfortably second after the defending champs.
Another couple from Fears' and Gibson's club Alexandra Palace finished the event with a routine score of 60.45 placing them third in the category and rounding out the podium.
Festive Picks: 5 things you should be doing in Sheffield this December
Looking for something a bit different to do this December?
Introducing Sheffield Wire’s run-down of festive activities happening around the city that you might not have been aware of.
- Sheffield Cathedral Christmas and art exhibitions
After you’ve browsed the Christmas Markets, come in from the cold and attend one of Sheffield Cathedral’s festive events. Their jam-packed itinerary includes candlelit concerts, a Christmas tree festival and art by Sheffield artist, Pete McKee.
- Christmas at Sheffield Theatres
Get ready to cheer the goodies and boo the baddies at Sheffield Lyceum's production of Aladdin, or visit Ebenezer Scrooge next door at the Crucible for A Christmas Carol.
Both theatres are also bringing us Singing In The Square: on December 4, a group of Sheffield choirs are coming together to spread Christmas cheer and celebrate the opening of A Christmas Carol. This event is free and family friendly.
What's on | Sheffield Theatres
- Everly Pregnant Brothers
Theatre not your thing? Then head to the Octagon Centre on December 19 for an evening of songs and silliness with Sheffield’s parody band, the Everlys. This year’s annual Crustmas promises to bring festive sing-a-longs, cheeky innuendos and plenty of Yorkshire spirit.
Joe McCartney, a hospitality assistant from Sheffield, has been to countless Everlys gigs. He said: "They're just such a vital part of the Sheffield music eco system. When you think Sheffield bands, you think The Everlys."
Everly Pregnant Brothers - Performance Venues
- Crafts at the Light Cinema
Who doesn’t love a trip to the cinema? From Love Actually to The Polar Express, the Light Cinema is hosting viewings of all your favourite Christmas classics. It is not just movies though - book your tickets to meet the Grinch and Cindy Lou, or join My Arty Party for a creative activity.
Zoe Bell, arts and crafts coordinator at My Arty party, is hosting a family craft session on December 22. She said: "We're really looking forward to people joining us for some good free fun in a brilliant atmosphere."
What's On - Sheffield - The Light
- Christmas Day Park Runs
If you didn’t manage to get your hands on a Percy Pud entry, never fear because there are plenty of other running events, including Christmas Day Parkruns! Sam Evans, a student from Sheffield, has done multiple festive Parkruns. He said: "I thoroughly enjoy it. It gets us out of the house and it's nice to see people on Christmas Day."
Sheffield Castle and Concord are both going ahead on Christmas morning this year, or take a short drive out to the Peak District for the very popular Monsal Trail run.
Shoebox appeal still 1,000 short with a day to go
The Sheffield Shoebox Appeal are reaching out for donations, as every box short is a person without a present to open on Christmas day.
The appeal, which launched in 2013, gather and make boxes with the aim to deliver a Christmas present to every vulnerable and disadvantaged adult in Sheffield.
With their current count at 1,600 they are short of their goal of 3,000 boxes.
Christine Sexton, the organiser of the appeal, said: "It is not enough - no where near enough."
The reduction of donations is believed to be linked to the cost of living crisis, but many people have reached out in the last few days saying they had not seen the posts on social media.
Ms Sexton said lots of people drop donations off in bags, which is greatly appreciated, but they "need the boxes."
Last year, they distributed 2,981 boxes which were distributed between 40 charities.
The boxes are given to adults who are fleeing domestic violence, forced marriages, homeless people, and elderly people who are own their own for Christmas.
One of those charities is Ben's Centre, a place of sanctuary for vulnerable people.
Kelly Trixie, the project manager for Ben's Centre, said the boxes mean a lot to the people who use the centre's services.
She said: "It makes them feel like people care about them.
"It perks people up."
Box requirements include knitted hats, socks, games, perfume, aftershave. A full list of suggestions for boxes can be found on their website.
The boxes are "less practical and more of a gift" said Ms Sexton.
Most shoebox drop off points close Saturday 29 November, but the central store at 267 Glossop Road will be open until Monday 1 December.
Photo courtesy of Sheffield Shoe Box Appeal and Amy Field.
Green Party membership has surged to over 3000 in Sheffield. What’s driving the increase?
One year ago there were less than 1000 Green Party members in Sheffield, but this month, membership has surpassed 3000.
The social media campaigning from the new leader of the party, Zack Polanski, has been a driving force for some of the new Sheffield members, as the party reached 175,000 members nationally this week.
Florence Kilby, 23, lives in Crookes and joined the Green Party last week. She said:
“I've seen a lot of Zack Polanski on social media. The leadership and the direction that he's come with is absolutely amazing. He's very clear on what he wants and what the fundamental values of the Green Party are. That clarity is really important so you know you're standing behind something you believe in.
“Equality, bringing people together, reinvesting into the community, into social causes, making rich people accountable for the massive disparity in wealth. Those things are pertinent in this day and age where there are people who earn £10,000 a day and there are people who can't afford a meal.”
Ms Kilby said she had not come across a political party that she strongly agreed with before, but now she feels she has “a party I can align with”.
Another new Green Party member is a Sheffield-based teacher, and his experiences at secondary school motivated his decision to sign up three weeks ago.
He said: “One thing I found, which has been quite disconcerting, is the prevalence that the right wing parties have with kids between 11 and 18. A lot of what used to be fringe ways of viewing the world have now become quite mainstream. Really quite misogynistic attitudes towards women and their positions and opportunities in life. Some borderline fascist ideologies as well.
“I think the Green Party has been quite successful in disseminating the feeling of optimism and positivity for the future. I think that's something that is way more powerful than negative rhetoric.”
Eamonn Ward, 66, has been a Green Party member in Hillsborough for 25 years and has been monitoring the surge in membership.
He said: “I've spoken to people on the doorstep who have joined who never heard of the Green Party before, literally never heard of us. Zack Polanski is definitely reaching a different audience, a younger audience, and of course 16-year-olds are going to be voting in the next election."
Mr Ward also pointed to concern for the future as a motivating factor. He said:
“A lot of people are concerned about the future of the country, where the country's headed, seeing the direction influenced by Trump, concerned about what's going on in America, concerned that Reform are heading up the opinion polls. There are people who actively want to do something about that. That seems to be the key.”
Photo courtesy of Eamonn Ward.