The Robin Hood Fund is a local fundraiser with 100 per cent of donations going to locally-based charities and organisations. The money will be used to tackle the impact of food and energy poverty on Nottingham?s most financially-vulnerable residents, including those experiencing poverty for the first time.?

According to the Nottingham Project, 87 per cent of charities have experienced significant energy cost increases and are using their cash reserves to cover their costs. Supporting these charities so they can continue to support people is so vital this winter.

Money raised will go to:?

• Hope Nottingham, the city?s largest food bank who will ensure that the network receives the extra support to respond to increased needs;
• Advice centres across Nottingham will distribute supermarket vouchers in addition to the energy vouchers they already give out;
• Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS) will ensure that grassroots organisations receive the help they need to keep going.?

If you are able to support The Robin Hood Fund, donations can be made through the website here. No matter how big or small, it really will help.?

We understand this is a tough time for many so if you need support please visit ? www.asklion.co.uk?

The winter season has begun for our gritting team which did its first run last Sunday.

If frost, ice or snow is forecasted then the team will start gritting routes a few hours beforehand.

Did you know?

• The gritting team covers 445km (277 miles) of Nottingham?s roads every wintry night;
• We have 3,000 tonnes of grit available;
• There are 200 grit bins in priority locations around the city for you to use.

Our top priority is keeping the city moving, especially those routes used by the emergency services and public transport. You can prepare for any icy weather and find out more about gritting here.

Active Nottingham Leisure Centres are the go-to place for getting fit, staying healthy and having fun. Whatever your fitness level there are plenty of things to choose from:

• Burn off the calories using top-of-the-line gym equipment from Technogym;
• Drop by for a relaxing swim or ramp it up by joining a hydro-spin or aqua-fit class;
• Join a group exercise class with cycling, relaxing yoga or even Zumba. There is something for everyone, of all abilities, with more than 300 classes available
• Relax in one of six health suites, which feature saunas, steam rooms and more

Whatever your goals, Active Nottingham is offering its biggest ever savings this Black Friday weekend with discounts of up to ?82.

For more details and to join Active Nottingham, head over to https://www.activenottingham.com/offers

A quick reminder that today is, of course, Black Friday when many people will understandably be on the lookout for a bargain ahead of Christmas.

Unfortunately, major retail events like these can attract fraudsters and, especially at the moment in a cost-of-living crisis, we don?t want anyone falling victim to a scam and losing money. Our Trading Standards team has provided the advice which is worth taking a couple of minutes to read here

This weekend there is lots to do to feel festive and get ahead, starting you?re your Christmas shopping.

Christmas Market in Sneinton Avenues:? This market was originally meant to take place at the castle but has been relocated. The market is open Saturday and Sunday 11am until 4pm

Woodthorpe Park Plant Shop: The shop and market stalls will be open every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) from 10am until 4pm. More information here

Newstead Abbey: The new Alice In Wonderland themed self-led walk will open this weekend along with the outdoor trails and market stalls.? More information here

The National Ice Centre: The Ice Centre starts its Christmas skating programme with a Christmas lights switch-on this Saturday 2:30pm to 4.30pm. More information here

Winter Wonderland with more than 50 market stalls and the unique-in-the-UK Sky Skate path is running until the end of December. Nottingham City Council? tax payers can get a 10 per cent discount on off-peak skating. More information here

Breakfast with Santa at Caf? 1899 at Gedling Country Park. The caf? is run by our in-house Bean Culture Caf? in partnership with Gedling Borough Council and provides hot and cold drinks and snacks, confectionery and pastries.