Where did Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival come from?
The Festival really began with one simple question: who makes the best hot chocolate in Whitby? I really appreciate good hot chocolate and became absolutely determined to find the answer. I thought it would just be a bit of fun - perhaps we could have a simple ‘chocolate off’ between a few cafés - but the more I asked around, the more I uncovered. One young restaurant owner told me proudly about her chocolate brownies, someone else mentioned chocolate cocktails... before long I was visiting business after business in Whitby and was blown away by offers of chocolate puddings, chocolate stouts, chocolate-themed films, a free family event, workshops, competitions, treats and window displays, all waiting to be discovered.
So the idea grew. It was no longer a one-off tasting, but a whole festival where every business could bring their chocolate-themed creations and ideas to the forefront and invite people to explore and support everything that the town has to offer. It's particularly exciting that the Festival runs at the same time as Whitby Christmas Market, adding another layer of collaboration and interest.
And it got even better. I am on the committee of Whitby Defibrillator Project and realised that, by getting involved, every person and business could also help raise vital funds to keep Whitby’s 40 defibrillators in good working order - no small task! What began as a simple idea about hot chocolate has snowballed into something much bigger: a joyful community celebration with an important and lasting impact for everyone who lives in, and visits, Whitby.
Pamella Boland, Festival Founder
How will Whitby Hot Chocolate Festival raise money?
The way we’ve done it is very straightforward. Every single business you see on the Festival map has kindly put in £40 to the Whitby Defibrillator Project (see below), and some businesses have very generously offered extra donations of money, or have even donated defibrillator batteries outright.
We’re also inviting anyone who fancies helping out to pop a donation in through this website. During the Festival fortnight you’ll also see our collection boxes dotted about town, so if you’ve got a bit of change (or the folding stuff!) in your pocket, that’s another way to join in.
A really important thing is that North Yorkshire Council stepped in with funding to cover the Festival's setup costs, which is marvellous because it means that every penny that comes in goes straight to the Defibrillator Project (see the Donate page for an explanation of how Whitby Defibrillator Project uses your donation).
And at the end of the fortnight, we’ll be adding it all up and proudly publishing the grand total, so everyone can see exactly what Whitby together has managed to achieve . Look out for announcements on our Facebook page and in the news!
What is Whitby Defibrillator Project?
In 2018 Whitby was woefully unprepared to deal with cardiac arrest situations. When we started this project there were only 3 defibrillator machines available 24/7 in the town.
Prompted by the death of Mr. Johnnie Wright, one of the Whitby Harbour watch keepers, on his way to work, Mr. Ernest Frith (Chair of the Whitby Cruising Association, friend and sailing companion of ‘Johnnie’) was inspired to propose covering the harbour area with three more externally sited defibrillator units: one each sited on the east and west sides of the harbour and a third at the bridge office.
From this starting point, several other organisations in town were approached and a meeting of interested parties was arranged.
The Whitby Cruising Association met with members of the Street Angels and Whitby Lions, with the intention of raising funds to provide the defibrillators. Whitby Lions proposed a more ambitious plan to provide a network of ten additional defibrillator units strategically sited across the town. At this point The Lions, in partnership with The Friends of Pannett Park and Whitby Town Council, had already financed and sited a defibrillator on the external wall of Whitby Museum.
A meeting was called and anyone interested was invited to attend. As a result of this a committee was formed and fundraising began — there were quiz nights, auctions, approaches to local societies, businesses and appeals to the general public. The response was overwhelming.
By the beginning of November 2018 “The Whitby Defibrillator Project” had raised over £17,000, enabling us to purchase our first ten 24/7 publicly available defibrillator units, housed in stainless steel cabinets because of our close proximity to the coast.
Following this initial success WDP were, and are still, receiving offers of fundraising and donations, so we continue the task. Whitby Lions Club has been jointly funding defibrillator units in villages outside Whitby.
So in total to date, over £65,000 has been raised by all concerned, with over 40 defibrillator units currently available throughout the Whitby area. The “Whitby Defibrillator Project” has undertaken, to the best of its ability, to monitor and maintain these units, including renewal of batteries and pads when required, originally from inception for the following ten years, which will take us up to 2028.
To our many benefactors — ranging from local businesses, organisations and some individuals who have financed entire units, through generous donors large and small, to shops, pubs and businesses who have kindly allowed us to mount our cabinets on their premises — the WDP is tempted to offer them all our ‘heartfelt’ thanks...
Bob Bennett
Chair, Whitby Defibrillator Project
With thanks to...
Huge thanks to Lucy Fearnley for inspiring and orchestrating the chocolate therapies showcase; Lois from Hetty & Betty for good advice; Whitby Spa Pavilion and Eighteen91 for fabulous events; Willmott Dixon for donation of four batteries and for offering future support; Moutreys for donation of a battery; Whitby Town Council for support; North Yorkshire Council for funding, the British Heart Foundation for free loan of CPR teaching aids; Whitby Foghorn and The Whitby Advertiser; Matt at This Is The Coast; local media and the BBC for promotion; and especially to our fantastic Whitby businesses, who have been so generous with their time, donations and encouragement.