Find out what we've been up to.
By James Cook
Magnet Trade Kitchens have launched a "Community Champion" scheme and Dexter's Light has put its case forward.
The scheme is designed to reward local projects for outstanding achievement.
Richard Burr, the runner up in the 2014 Great British Bake off and the
nation’s favourite builder/baker will be the face of the Community
Champions campaign and will be involved in awarding a cash prize to the
overall national winner.
You can help Dexter's Light when Magnet announce its regional winners which will then go to a public vote. You can get more information about the campaign at community.magnettrade.co.uk. Plus you can
get involved posting and sharing on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag
‘#MTCommunityChamps’.
PLEASE HELP DEXTER'S LIGHT secure this funding, which will go towards the sensory equipment for the local community.
By James Cook
Popular Huddersfield party band Helter Skelter have been confirmed as one of the acts for Let's Sparkle which takes place on Friday March 6th 2015.
The band have been chosen for there favorable reviews and testimonials, flexibility in covering different musical genres and there ability to please the crowd.
www.helterskelterrocks.com
By James Cook
Merci beaucoup to all the staff and management at La Cachette Elland for the very generous Prize donation.
The prize will be used at "Let's Sparkle" on March 6th 2015, and one lucky winner will get to sample the fantastique french cuisine on offer at the regions most loved French Restaurant.
www.lacachette-elland.com
By James Cook
Cafe Thai which recently opened its Brand New restaurant in West Vale has generously donated a meal voucher to Dexter's Light.
"The local business community has been incredibly generous and we can't thank them enough".
"We hope that where possible everybody supports those that have helped Dexter's Light like the local business community".
By James Cook
Mellanie Warburton, who kindly manned a stall at the ladies shopping night back in December has come up trumps again.
The owner of Me Time Massage Therapy has generously donated a voucher for a relaxing "Swedish Massage" in her Sowerby Bridge Massage room.
We would like to thank Mel for her on going support and generosity.
By James Cook
On Friday March 6th 2015, Dexter's Light will be hosting a Red Carpet event at the Cedar Court Hotel.
One local business which wishes to remain anonymous has generously donated a Luxury Villa Holiday for up to 10 people in the stunning Jalon Valley.
The Villa is fully air conditioned, has a private pool and boasts Spectacular Views.
Winning Bidders will have a pick of any available dates during 2015. Bidders will have to purchase their own flights and arrange their own Car hire.
We hope you are able to join us on the night and club together with your friends to bid on such a fantastic Auction Lot.
By James Cook
Last night we attended the Lights of Love Remembrance Service at St Thomas' Church in Huddersfield in memory of all those Children who were here for just the briefest of moments or who never actually got to meet their Mummy's or Daddy's.
The event was organised by the SANDS charity which has offered amazing support to both of us during these agonising last few months.
Candles were lit in memory of the Children and Poems were offered as Readings. Siblings of the Children sang Carols in a very moving Service.
We are thankful to all at SANDS for the continued support they give to us and all parents and Grandparents who have been through this terrible experience and for organising such a fitting tribute to each little person we miss terribly.
If anybody wantss to know more about SANDS or wants to be put into contact with a member of their team please contact us through the website and we can put you in touch with them.
By James Cook
A staggering £3,350 was raised was raised at the Ladies Shopping Night at Crow Nest Golf Club in memory of Dexter Cook. Kirsty Stansfield from Le Munch Bunch Halifax who organised the event said "it was our best night ever".
The event was attended by around 300 people including Dexter's family and friends. Amazing local band "The Rising Tide" provided entertainment and over 20 local businesses showed support by purchasing stalls.
We are truly thankful to everybody who helped make this night the amazing success it was. To attend in such great numbers on such a bitterly cold night was truly overwhelming. We are thankful to everybody in the local community and the businesses within it who have helped support us throughout.
By James Cook
We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Janine and David Newton who held a small make up party at their home last week. During the party a Chocolate Hamper was raffled with all proceeds from ticket sales going directly to Dexter's Light for the sensory equipment. The hamper raised £31.00 and will cost the lucky winner 200lbs on the hips ; )
If you would like to host an event or want to help fund raise & help us to achieve the sensory room in Dexter's memory then please contact us via the website, Twittter or facebook.
By James Cook
Staff at the Halifax Lloyds TSB Banking group raised over £3,500 in memory of Dexter recently by completing the challenging Bowfell walk for the Lullaby Trust. The amount has been very kindly matched by the Banking Group to take our total to a staggering £7,000
Richard Gunn who organised the event said "we are just so delighted that we were able to raise this money for such a very worthy cause and in memory of such a wonderful little boy"
Jody Littley (Dexter's Auntie) who works for the Halifax also took part in the walk. "I am so proud of my colleagues for doing this, it was a very emotional day"
We would again like to express our sincere thanks to all those who took part and sponsored the team. We are very proud of you all for doing this for our little boy.
By James Cook
We would like to say thank you and well done to Kirsty Stansfield (Dexter's Auntie) for hosting a Pampered Chef evening at her home which raised a fantastic £170.00 for Dexter's Light.
The event was well attended and all guests were treated to some gorgeous home cooked food. Dexter's mummy spent lots of Daddy's money but it was all in aid of a great cause and Mummy was able to tell those who attended a bit more about what we are trying to achieve and why.
The Pampered Chef are just one of the LOCAL businesses that will also be attending on the Ladies Shopping evening on Wednesday December 3rd and we are grateful to them for manning a stall. Please make sure you show your support by attending.
Thank you to you all for attending and making the event FUN & a success.
By James Cook
When the offer to help in the Church yard came from Elland RUFC how could we say no ? At 10.00am sharp the lads arrived ready to put in a shift. Fair enough some were bleary eyed but the smell of old grass cuttings soon cleared those heads and they got stuck in to the task at hand which has made a huge difference.
Yet again the Local community helped where they could. Dick Fairbank the local dairyman kindly supplied a BBQ and cooked up a wonderful breakfast for all of the volunteers. St Thomas' kindly supplied Tea and Coffee and others offered to loan equipment or dispose of the waste.
We are so grateful to Ollie and the lads who displayed great enthusiasm and team work and to all of those who continue to support us.
By James Cook
From 9 to 15 October 2014 it is Baby Loss Awareness Week.
There are many people whose lives have been touched by the loss of a baby before or just after birth. Understandably, it can be heart-breaking to deal with such a loss.
The Baby Loss Awareness Campaign recognises how alone and alienated bereaved mothers often feel. This is why they are encouraging people to try and understand pregnancy and the depth of the devastation experienced. Baby Loss Awareness Week was set up to coincide with International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on 15 October.
British and US studies have shown that the psychological impact of losing a baby can last for many years. And considering one in five pregnancies result in a miscarriage, it just conveys how important it is to spend time on caring for affected mothers.
Throughout the week, volunteers will be hosting a number of events so that parents who have lost a baby know that they are not alone and that there is help available to help them with their grieving. Hopefully, it will also show them that they have the support of other women who have experienced similar trauma.
You can show your support by taking part in the 'Wave of Light' on 15 October, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The idea is to light a candle at 7.00pm and let it burn for at least an hour in remembrance of all babies that have died during pregnancy, at, during or after birth. People will be taking part across the globe to create a 'Wave of Light' to recognise the memory of the babies who lit up our lives.
You can also visit the official website and order resources to help promote any fundraising events you are planning on holding during the week.
By James Cook
On the 27th September members of the ATM team from the Halifax Lloyds TSB banking group along with friends and family climbed Bowfell in the Lake District, standing at over 2,500ft above Sea Level. The walk raised a staggering £3,109.04 not including tax relief for the Lullaby Trust.
The walk was done in challenging conditions and was very emotional. Highlights of the walk can be seen on YouTube by typing in Dexter James Cook in the search area.
We are so grateful to Richard Gunn who organised the event. We are also thankful to all of those who donated what they could to reach this amazing total.
By James Cook
Thank you to all of those people who kindly donated time to assist in the Church yard this weekend. It was wonderful to see so many volunteers coming together and really making a difference. Thanks must also go to those who baked cakes and provided drinks. We hope to have another day on Sunday October 26th. Elland RLFC have pledged to bring the team down to assist with the heavier duties and we hope to see many of you there. Please don't forget that there is a candle lighting service this Wednesday night at 7pm to remember all of those resting in the Church yard.
By James Cook
Hundreds of good quality Children's Books were donated to the Children and staff at St James' Children's Centre recently where Dexter was a regular for the Stay & Play sessions.
Some of the books will be used during story time and others will be wrapped up and sent off to Greenland for Father Christmas to hand to Dexter's friends at the Children's Christmas Party.
Hannah Heywood from St James' said "Spending quality time with your Children and reading a book together is a wonderful bonding experience".
Gemma Dunne also from St James' stated that "Dexter was a very popular and beautiful little boy who will be greatly missed, but will always remember his beautiful smile".
By James Cook
Candles will be lit this evening at 11pm, not just for Dexter and the babies, but also for those who gave their lives in World War 1. War was declared at 11pm on this night exactly 100 years ago. #rememberthem
We are also very grateful to Rebecca Graley who visited Kykkos monastery in the Troodos mountain region of Cyprus today to light a candle for Dexter. Unfortunately photos are strictly prohibited inside but we are so grateful all the same.
By James Cook
Thank you to Devan, Dayle and Gary Collins (pictured) who cheered on the cyclists for the Tour de France on the Champ-Elysees in Paris.
See how their trip got on at instagram.com/devcollins90.
By James Cook
Its official! Dexters Light will be registered as a charity or local not for profit organisation.
Further research needs to be done in terms of cost implications etc but a small group of volunteers have agreed that Dexter's name will live on. Our mission is to generate funds to purchase sensory equipment for all children to enjoy learning through sensory interaction.
Anybody wishing to help then please contact us via telephone or e-mail.
By James Cook
We received a letter today from the Church thanking everybody for their generosity.
The collection for the Church organ fund raised £1,010.00.
The Clergy have been very supportive to our family and we are grateful to all of you for supporting them.
By James Cook
The Tour de France is coming to Yorkshire and Dexter's Light will be in Greetland cheering the cyclists on.
In traditional French style, we will be decorating the route with the hashtag #dexterslight message and our aim is to get on the television at least once.
If anybody is interested in helping us paint the town please contact us or visit our Facebook page.
By James Cook
To say we only decided at very short notice yesterday, it was very humbling to see 15 volunteers in the graveyard tonight.
We have put pictures of the Graveyard before and after on our website. We are meeting again tomorrow night at 4pm for anybody wishing to support.
If anybody has petrol powered lawn mowers and is willing to loan them to us please contact us via facebook.
By James Cook
Dexter was laid to rest two days ago at St Thomas’s church on Rochdale Road.
A small group of people have decided that the church yard could do with a good tidy up and will meet tomorrow at 4pm. You are all invited to support this rather large task and asked to bring any spare gardening equipment.