Doncaster Echo - December/January 2026

December/January 2026

Celebrating

everything good in doncaster and surrounding areas

INTRODUCTION

Hello and welcome to your December/January edition of Doncaster Echo.

Well, 2025 may be coming to an end but over at Doncaster Echo we are still working hard to bring you the best local offers and feel-good stories for our community.

In this month’s edition, we showcase a Doncaster volunteer who won a national award for outstanding community contributions.

We also promote the Christmas Gift Appeal 2025. Doncaster Christmas Appeal is asking for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for adults and families that will be staying in refuge centres this festive period.

As always, our friendly team is just an email or phone call away to help you with all your advertisement needs.

We will see you in 2026 but for now enjoy your latest edition of Doncaster Echo!

WHO ARE WE? MEET THE STAFF...

Daniella dennis

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

Christmas Sculpture Trail

For the third year running, City of Doncaster Council is bringing the magic to our streets and it just keeps getting bigger! Families can flock in to explore the trail and soak up the festive vibes with their epic Countdown to Christmas campaign

This year City of Doncaster Council is working with Wild in Art to welcome 12 stunning sculptures each featuring artwork with a Twelve Days of Christmas theme.

Where are the snowmen?

City of Doncaster Council have handpicked each spot to show off Doncaster’s coolest heritage and culture hotspots.

Every snowman is easy to find and perfectly

placed around the city centre so nobody misses out. You can also collect a trail map from the tourist information centre.

The sculptures feature beautiful designs by 12 talented artists including Doncaster’s Rebecca Wright and will be in the city from 15 November through to 30 January.

Want the inside scoop on all things Christmas and what’s coming up in the new year? Head to visitdoncaster.com for all the latest event info!

Don’t just hear about it, come join the fun!

If you are over 60 it

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Could you afford an extra Christmas gift in your shopping basket this year? Doncaster Christmas Appeal is asking for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for adults and families that will be staying in refuge centres this festive period

The Doncaster Christmas Appeal was set up by volunteers to collect gifts for men, women and children who will be in refuges over the Christmas period.

It collects and provides the gifts to two charities: Phoenix WoMens Aid in Doncaster and IDAS Doncaster The volunteers set up the Doncaster Christmas Appeal as they wanted to help people that would be in a refuge at Christmas, regardless of their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Often victims of domestic violence flee their homes to refuge with very few personal belongings.

Doncaster Christmas Appeal told Doncaster Echo: “This is our second Christmas Gift Appeal. Last year was a mammoth task to ensure that every woman, man and child were provided for, but we managed to not only reach target but exceed it. This year we have more drop-off points and more volunteers so hopefully we can hit that target once again.”

CHRISTMAS GIFT

APPEAL 2025

Phoenix WoMens Aid provides help, support and advice for women, men and child victims of domestic violence and abuse. It offers refuge for people in need. It’s also one of the first domestic abuse charities to offer male-only refuge in our area.

iDAS Doncaster are a specialist charity with many years experience of supporting and accomodating victims and survivors of domestic abuse. It delivers services that help protect victims and survivors whatever choice they make about their future. It provides community support and emergency accomodation for those in need.

Could you make room in your shopping basket this year for that extra gift? Drop-off points are:

Nanny’s Pantry - Cavendish Court, South Parade, Doncaster, DN1 2DJ

Stewart and Co. Solicitors - 1 Cavendish Court, South Parade, Doncaster, DN1 2DJ

Harrys Fish Bar and Restaurant - 18 High Street, Dunsville, DN7 4BP

WH Brown (Thorne) - 8 King Street, Thorne, DN8 5BA

Thorne Pentecostal Church - Peel Castle Road, Thorne, DN8 5LZ

What kind of gifts you can donate: Anything you feel an adult or family in need would see as a treat this Christmas - items like crafts, books, toys, hats and scarves. Please note they cannot accept perishable items or cash.

If you would like to donate, or get in touch, you can email: info@doncasterchristmasappeal.com

Please

Doncaster volunteer wins national award for outstanding community contribution

Joyce Williams, who volunteers with We All Are One – a carer support group in Doncaster funded by national health and social care charity Making Space, was named Volunteer of the Year at the Making Space Colleague Awards 2025

At 80 years old, Joyce continues to be a pillar of kindness, compassion, and energy.

Born in Jamaica, Joyce moved to England in 1963, where she worked at an electrical firm while also caring for her sister and volunteering in her local community. She has now volunteered with Making Space for more than 20 years, and since the launch of We All Are One, she has been at the heart of the group’s success.

Judges described Joyce as “an inspiration,” adding: “Her dedication goes above and beyond. She’s always there for people, acting as the link between the group and Making Space staff, and is a huge advocate for other members.”

Known for her warmth and positivity, Joyce helps set up meetings, makes tea and coffee, welcomes new members, and supports carers in need, often visiting people at home or meeting them for coffee

to check in. She’s also taken part in everything from nativity plays to cultural events, always encouraging others to join in and feel included.

Rosemary Stephen, Making Space Equality & Diversity Co-ordinator and group leader, said: “Joyce is kind-hearted, caring and full of empathy. She always goes out of her way to help others. Everyone who meets her feels uplifted.”

Reflecting on her award, Joyce told Doncaster Echo: “I’m over the moon and honoured to receive this award. It means so much to know my support is valued and appreciated. The We All Are One group has helped me through loneliness and isolation, giving me confidence, friendship and purpose. One of my dreams was to win an award like this, and I’m so thankful to Making Space, Rosemary and everyone who nominated me.”