Grantham fund-raiser ensuring events continue for next generation
After devoting much of the past few years of her life to fund-raising, 34-year-old Hannah Martin talks to the Journal about her charity work and why she continues to do it.
Manager of the local branch of the Yorkshire Bank, Hannah was born and raised in Grantham and enjoys giving back to the community. Her work running quizzes, organising family fun days in Dysart Park, and much more throughout the year, has seen countless charities benefit from extra funding.
How long have you been fund-raising?
When I took over as bank manager in 2008, I spoke to my team about what we could do that was a bit different. It’s not just Dysart Park events - we hold an annual quiz night at the Urban Hotel every March. For the first six years, we did that to raise money for St Barnabas Hospice, our charity partner. Everything we raise for the charity, the bank will then match. After six years we decided each year to do a different charity to mix it up. This year, we raised over £500 for local charity, Dayton’s Dream.
Are you looking to get involved in any more activities?
I think I’d get pretty told off by my family, friends and work colleagues if I did anymore. I like quirky ideas and, this year, I came up with the idea of the Three Parks Challenge. However I don’t have time to implement all these ideas, so I have to put them on the back burner. The Dysart Park fun day takes up a lot of my time because I’m responsible for booking the stalls, sorting the arena line-up and the dog show. We had an official programme and I sorted the publication for that, along with help from Abigail Murphy, a graphic designer. I secured who would have an advert, she designed it and I got it to print.
What drives you?
I suppose the feeling I get. Take the Dysart Park fun day for instance - when you just take five minutes you see the kids enjoying the balloon modelling or running to the falconry, and it’s seeing their faces. That’s what drives me, to think, ‘yeah, that was a good event’. With the quiz night and things, it’s nice to help different people. I’m Grantham born and bred, so I’m very passionate about the town. It’s steeped in history. I have got children myself and I want to make sure that these events go on. If it’s a local issue, then I like to get involved - that way you can see where your money goes.
