I Love Rotherham Day just one week away

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation’s I Love Rotherham campaign is encouraging people to show their love for the area through fund-raising activities.

And as part of the campaign an I Love Rotherham Day has been planned for February 12 when organisations are being asked to host cake stalls, dress down days, sponsored silences or any other in-house ideas.

All cash raised by Rotherham folk will be matched pound for pound from government funding and this week, Cllr Jahangir Akhtar, Johnny Nelson, former professional boxer, HSBC and Parkgate Shopping all pledged their support.

On February 12, Cllr Akhtar has vowed to spend the day wearing a Rotherham United kit.

He said: “It's going to be a very special day and for 24 hours you can call me Mr Rotherham or Rotherham Man as we do all we can to raise money for this very special place.

“This is all about loving the area you live in and there’s no finer place than Rotherham and no finer people than Rotherham people.

“The great thing is that if somebody gives a £2 donation it is worth over a fiver to causes within the borough.

 “I love Rotherham and I know I've got fantastic good taste so I’m not the only one!"

Sue Pearce, of HSBC, said that the bank was dedicated to supporting charities in Rotherham.

She said: “Individuals in the branches are very passionate about their home town and they like the idea of match funding as this gives us more funds to allocate to local charities and support worthy causes.”

The bank is now looking into the different ways that it can support the campaign and get involved with I Love Rotherham Day.

“We will be cake baking, holding coffee mornings and other activities,” added Sue.

Rotherham United, the Chamber of Commerce and Rotherham Titans have already thrown their weight behind the scheme.

Schools, call centres and employers are now being encouraged to look at what they can do to show their love for Rotherham.

Denis Copeland, manager of Parkgate Shopping, described the campaign as an extension to the work that his team was already doing.

He said: “Parkgate Shopping supports many local causes and organisations and works closely with them to raise funds and their profiles.

"We see I Love Rotherham as an important extension to our work in the community and a very effective source of funding for smaller groups who do so much for the community.

“The retail park itself and many of the Parkgate stores will be organising their own fund-raising events, some involving their staff and some with the general public.”

Visit www.sycf.org.uk/rotherham for further information on how to get involved.