Chesterfield toddler produces his own cave painting to support struggling Creswell Crags

A Chesterfield toddler has created his own artwork to help the under-threat visitor attraction Creswell Crags, which has been forced to close due to the lockdown.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Creswell Heritage Trust, which runs Creswell Crags, was one of the first independent heritage organisations to declare itself in danger due to the economic impact of the pandemic.

The charity has furloughed most of its staff and launched a £50,000 public fundraising campaign, and two-year-old Jacob Duke, from Boythorpe, sent staff at the site his cave painting to cheer them up and help them raise funds.

And workers at the tourist spot were so impressed that they shared it on the site’s Facebook page, as part of a competition to raise awareness of its Just Giving fundraiser.

Two-year-old Jacob Duke with his cave paintingTwo-year-old Jacob Duke with his cave painting
Two-year-old Jacob Duke with his cave painting
Read More
Chesterfield photographer catches families in lockdown to raise spirits and fund...

Jacob’s mum Marianne said: “We love going to Creswell Craggs as it brings history to life, seeing the cliffs and caves really is something special. When we saw on Facebook that they were facing extinction themselves we wanted to do what we could. So we entered the competition and, although he didn't win, it has brought people to their Just Giving page. We just wanted to give history a future for our boys and support such a wonderful place.

“The Craggs themselves were facing the first year without any funding this year and were initially set to be self-sufficient. However, with the lockdown all of that was thrown into chaos as they still had rent and other expenses to cover. I believe now they have managed to get a rent holiday but are still only at 30 per cent of their target. they are doing brilliantly but need all the support they can get.”

Earlier this week, we reported that Creswell Crags’ landlord the Welbeck Estate agreed to give the organisation a rent holiday for the duration of the lockdown.

The trust previously received funding from local councils but this ended earlier in 2020, making it even more reliant on income from visitors.

Chairman Tim Caulton said: “The situation will still be financially difficult as we are locked down at the peak of our trading season, but we are taking the time to restructure our operations.”

You can support the fundraiser by clicking here.

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor

Related topics: