A new charity festival is coming to Macclesfield.

The Rossendale Trust, which has been supporting people with disabilities for over 50 years, will take over Victoria Park this summer for the first-ever Shine A Light Festival.

The event, being run in partnership with Space 4 Autism, will feature live music, inflatables, craft tents, an artisan market, sports competitions and more.

Sue Heaven, head of PR and fundraising at Rossendale, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Shine A Light Festival alongside Space 4 Autism!

"This is going to be a fantastic day for the whole community—bringing people together, celebrating local talent, and shining a light on the incredible work of local charities.

"We can't wait to welcome everyone for a day of fun and entertainment."

Shine A Light replaces the Rossendale Trust's annual fete (Credit: Rossendale Trust)

Shine A Light Festival takes place at Victoria Park on Saturday, July 12.

It replaces Rossendale Trust's popular annual fete, with the event having outgrown its previous location at Rossendale Hall on Hollin lane.

The event will hopefully help raise the profile of the charity around Macclesfield as well as bring in vital funds.

Money raised will go towards the trust's work, which includes their Oakwood daytime service.

Each week the trust welcomes around 100 adults with learning disabilities to take part in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, cooking, music and horticulture.

The trust has been supporting adults with learning disabilities since the 1970s (Credit: Rossendale Trust)

The charity also runs a WorkTaste scheme, offering people who are usually excluded from the workplace the opportunity of supported employment.

In the past, users have worked at places such as Arighi Bianchi, King's School and Costa Coffee and many have gone on to secure paid work.

On top of all this, Rossendale Trust provides accommodation for up to 70 people across their six sites, supported by over 200 members of staff.

Money raised will help cover all of these services, as well as individual projects such as the repair of Rossendale Hall's activity cabin.

The charity offers a range of services, including daytime activities, work experience schemes and supported living accomodation (Credit: Rossendale Trust)

Shine A Light is just one of many fundraisers planned for 2025, with Rossendale Trust hosting a ladies lunch in May, a bingo night in June and an afternoon tea in July.

To find out more about the charity's work, visit https://rossendaletrust.org/. 

The Rossendale Trust is a proud sponsor of Macclesfield Nub News.

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Poster for Shine A Light Festival (Credit: Rossendale Trust)