Doncaster Echo - February/March 2025

Celebrating everything good in doncaster and surrounding areas

INTRODUCTION

Hello and welcome to your February/ March edition of Doncaster Echo!

We hope 2025 is treating you well so far, are you still keeping up to your new year resolutions? Here at Doncaster Echo, we vowed this year to bring you the best offers and feel-good stories and we certainly are.

In the next few weeks we will hopefully begin to see some spring weather as we say goodbye to the cold months.

This issue, we speak to The Jackson Hope Foundation - a peer-to-peer support group aimed at providing a safe space for men and women to share, connect, and find

solace in their mental health journeys. We also bring to you the newly launched ACR Estate Agents - providing a personal and passionate service at a fraction of the cost compared to other agents. And local army doctor Bob Jones wins a coveted award for volunteering after a distinguished army career.

As always, if you would like an advert placing or you have a local story you would like featuring, get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help.

For now, sit back with a cuppa and enjoy your latest edition of Doncaster Echo, and we will see you again in April.

meet the staff

Distribution Assistants: Jamie Walton, Justin Newton, Mitchell Brewins, Craig Shaw and Ben Hammill

LISA WARRENER EDITOR

RACHAEL LIDDLE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

lisa caley sales executive

Daniella dennis sales Manager

These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Yorkshire Loft Ladders come in.

The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50 sq ft of boarding and a light all fully fitted in less than a day from just £277 + VAT. But it’s not just the affordability of the package the company offers that makes Yorkshire Loft Ladders stand out as manager Warren Ingleson explains:

‘Our watchwords are Quality,

Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen so our customers are assured of the best job. Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and Value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford. Our business relies on referrals and we got a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles.

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’

So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or

lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, however big or

small, call Warren on 0800 612 8359 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!

At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers

The Jackson Hope Foundation Transforming lives, restoring hope

The Jackson Hope Foundation is a peerto-peer support group aimed at providing a safe space for men and women to share, connect, and find solace in their mental health journeys.

The Foundation helps to transform lives, break the stigma and restore hope through daily mental health support. Join their movement. #HopeEveryDay #CommunityStrength #EndTheStigma.

It is a place where men and women, aged 18 and over, can go and have a cuppa and a chat, share their stories and feel supported by others. There is no judgement of any kind and the Foundation welcomes people from all walks of life.

Mark Jackson, founder, told Doncaster Echo:

“My partner died on 20th January 2024 of bowel cancer, then my mother died on 29th January 2024 of dementia. We set the Foundation up as we wanted to create something for many to benefit from. I went to an Askern Town Council meeting and informed everyone what had happened and what I wanted to do. Askern Mayor, Jake Keeble, and Forefront IT owner, Oliver Ketley, jumped on board and we set up The Jackson Hope Foundation.

“Looking ahead, we want to set up all over the UK to help people bring back hope for them and their loved ones.”

There is no shame in reaching out for help or support, you don’t have to go through it alone.

You can find details of the groups below:

Women’s groups

Every Monday - Ragusa Drive, Communal Hall, Rossington, 7pm-9pm

Every Tuesday - Westfield Community Centre, Askern, 10am-12noon

Every Wednesday - Draycott Centre, Carcroft, 10am-12noon

Every Thursday - Westfield Community Centre, Askern, 7pm-9pm

An additional women’s group is due to be launched in Thorne this year.

Men’s groups

Every Tuesday - Number 3, Princess Street, Doncaster Centre, Doncaster, 7pm-9pm.

Every Wednesday - Westfield Community Centre, Askern, 7pm-9pm.

Every Thursday - Woodlands Community Library, Woodlands, 7pm-9pm.

Every Friday - Polton Close Community Centre, Stainforth, 7pm-9pm.

Details of all of these can be found on their website: jacksonhope.co.uk

FROM A POLICE

Doncaster District

Commander’s message to city’s residents as he reveals plans to increase neighbourhood policing visibility in 2025

“Policing comes in many forms and a lot of the work that drives some of our best results often goes on behind the scenes. It is important we acknowledge the efforts of everyone here at the district as they all play a part in reducing crime in Doncaster.”

POLICE PERSPECTIVE:

In this edition, Doncaster District Commander, Chief Superintendent Pete Thorp reflects on his first six months in the role. He has issued this message to the city’s residents about some of the hard work and achievements that have taken place as well as his vision for policing across the borough

Chief Superintendent Thorp explained: “It’s been an incredibly encouraging year for policing in Doncaster and it has been my privilege to take over as District Commander and oversee the brilliant officers and staff and the hard work they do all year round to keep you safe.

“Policing comes in many forms and a lot of the work that drives some of our best results often goes on behind the scenes. It is important we acknowledge the efforts of everyone here at the district as they all play a part in reducing crime in Doncaster.

“I am pleased to say that over the course of 2024, we have been able to significantly improve our emergency and priority response times.

“In Doncaster, we face some geographical challenges due to having a high number of rural communities and train lines that intersect key travel routes, so it is reassuring to hear that we are decreasing the time it takes to respond to serious incidents called in by members of the public.

“One key area of improvement we have seen in Doncaster in 2024 is a reduction in reports of most serious violence (MSV), which includes offences such as serious assaults, knife crime and violence against women and girls.

“Since 2023, there has been a downward trend in reports of MSV and this is thanks in part to early intervention by officers as well as the utilisation of Streetsafe.

“We’ve devised specific patrol plans for key hotspot areas where MSV has previously been more prevalent and having a visible presence of officers has helped to discourage this type of criminality..

“We’ve also seen a reduction in residential burglaries, which is testament to the ongoing work of Operation Castle and problem-solving approaches to tackling burglaries in defined geographical areas of Doncaster with a noticeably higher number of reports.

“We know how devastating neighbourhood crime can be and we are continuing to gather more intelligence and evidence on patterns of offending.

“One challenge we are aware of is off-road bikes. We are aware of the impact they cause to local residents, particularly those in rural communities, and I want to reassure you that we are carrying out proactive operations with our Motorcycle and Rural Crime Team to tackle the issue.

“If you see our officers out and about in your communities, please approach them with any concerns you have as they are always there to help you and support you however they can.

“Our most important relationship continues to be with you - the residents of Doncaster. Your information, intelligence and concerns shape our policing response in this city and in 2025, I really want to strengthen this bond.”

Local knowledge, professional expertise – your new estate agent awaits

Meet Abi, the owner of ACR Estate Agents based in Bawtry, covering the Doncaster area

We know what you’re thinking: “Another independent Estate Agents, claiming to take the stress out of selling your home”. However, they are different. They are not part of an umbrella agency, they are a standalone, family-run business.

Abi Richardson along with her husband Matt launched ACR Estate Agents in September 2024.

Where it all started: On her return to work after having her little boy, Abi and her husband decided to enter the property world, renovating houses and selling them on. Naturally, they dealt with many different estate agents, both as sellers and buyers but neither were happy with the service they received - poor communication, and the feeling of being just a number.

This is when Abi thought “I can do this much better myself.”

Abi told Doncaster Echo: “I was doing a lot of the work myself, including writing my own marketing material for them, chasing up

enquiries, being passed from pillar to post between multiple members of staff, all whilst paying a fortune. So, I thought, I’m going to do this… differently, and save clients a lot of money in the process.”

ACR Estate Agents offer a personal and passionate service at a fraction of the cost compared to other Agents.

They are committed to ensuring moving home is as easy as possible. With outstanding communication, personal and friendly support is available seven days a week, so you will never be left with any unanswered questions or worries.

They offer fixed prices - that’s right, no percentage rate - there is no prejudice on the price of your home. Everything is included as standard with no added extras.

Let ACR Estate Agents help you sell your home with a service that’s passionate, personal, and affordable.

From overwhelmed to empowered: How one Doncaster mum transformed her life through a nutrition club

In 2013 Sarah became quite ill with severe pain, lethargy and joint pain. She lived on codeine and didn’t know what was going on.

She found out in 2022 that she had ankylosing spondylitis and the years of pain, lack of sleep and mobility had taken a serious toll on her health. She had gained five stone and was miserable.

Fast forward to April 2024, she saw a friend’s post on Facebook and noticed how well she looked.

Sarah told Doncaster Echo: “I asked how she had done it and she told me about New Day Nutrition. I thought, oh I’ll try that and booked my wellness evaluation in. I found out I was dehydrated, my muscle mass was low and visceral fat was high. I was already dealing with high blood pressure and was borderline diabetic.

“So, I started my journey with the local nutrition club, New Day and never looked back. I have made friends for life, I have oodles of energy and have lost three stone. I sleep better and my joints are thanking me.

“It’s not cured my arthritis but it has reduced the symptoms that I was suffering with, and my medication is now working better than ever. I tell

Sarah Cattell started her journey with New Day Nutrition and she has never looked back. She has made friends for life, has oodles of energy, lost 3 stone and sleeps better - is this something that you think you can benefit from? Find our more below

you this to press upon you the importance of health. Not just weight loss as you can be slim and still be unhealthy.

“I am that passionate about the value of a nutrition club to help improve people’s health that I am opening my own club in Doncaster.”

Sarah has now started Achieve Nutrition and is offering free wellness evaluations in Doncaster with three locations to choose from: Sprotbrough, Edenthorpe or Balby until a more central location is secured for her club.

She can help anyone who suffers with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, mental health struggles, fibromyalgia or arthritis.

To book your free wellness check with Sarah you can contact her on 074502 21979 to book or scan the QR code.

The wellness check takes 45 minutes where you will have a chat about your goals and what you want to achieve, then decide if the club is the right fit for you.

£97,000 40% share*

£4,850 5% deposit

£392.33 Rent and Service Charge

Local army doctor wins coveted volunteering award

Retired army doctor Bob

Jones has won an coveted award for volunteering after a distinguished career in the forces

Bob, 72, from Doncaster, started a free monthly tea party group in the city after learning there were lots of lonely older people in the area.

Bob told Doncaster Echo: “I have tremendous respect for the older generation. I can talk to them easily and relate to them.”

Bob was also awarded £250 by the Marsh Charitable Trust for being at the heart of the charity sector and going above and beyond to make a difference.

Bob started the group for charity Re-engage, which supports those aged 75 and over who may be lonely or isolated, in 2016 after retiring from his medical career, which included a 15-year stint with the army.

During that time he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and headed a team of 10 doctors in the Royal Army Medical Corps, based in Germany, where they looked after 16,000 patients.

He left the forces in 1994 to become a GP in Doncaster for a couple of years before switching to take up a role as occupational physician, focusing on the disabled and then joined Re-engage.

During Covid, he kept in touch with the older people who attend the tea parties and restarted the meetings in 2021.

Bob told Doncaster Echo: “I enjoy them. They are great fun and the guests get so much from them,” he said. “The car journeys on the way home are full of good cheer. I’m obviously very pleased to recieve this award and will continue to do my best to live up to it.”

Jenny Willott, CEO of Re-engage, told Doncaster Echo: “We have an absolutely fantastic army of volunteers providing free monthly tea parties throughout the UK. To be singled out as Bob has been shows he really is extraordinary.”