When a local Pride flag was removed from the high street in Matlock at the request of a neighbouring business, it felt like a blow to many in our community. As a proudly inclusive business, we at Punnydukes were deeply disappointed by the decision, but we weren't about to let it dull our rainbow! 💪
Instead, we turned that disappointment into action! With help from our amazing online community and local supporters, we launched a spontaneous event: Chalk Our Courtyard!
All weekend long, we invited everyone to bring the pride and colour back by chalking rainbows and messages of love into the cobblestones outside our shop. It became a beautiful expression of unity, resistance, and Pride. ❤️
Our courtyard transformed into a vibrant patchwork of love, one cobblestone at a time! 🌈
A few of you asked if there was a way to get involved from afar, so we created a Virtual Cobblestone Sponsorship page where supporters could donate to add a virtual rainbow. The donations were for AKT charity, an incredible organisation that supports LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness and rejection.
AKT supports LGBTQ+ young people who are at risk of homelessness. They offer safe housing, support, and hope in difficult times. 77% of the young people they help have faced rejection simply for being who they are. We couldn’t think of a better charity to support!
Drumroll please... together we raised £1308 for AKT! 🥹🌈
Whether you chalked in person, virtually, or shared the love from afar, thank you from the bottom of our rainbow-coloured hearts! You made a real difference, and helped remind us that love truly does always win! ❤️
Something truly magical!
From this little rainbow rebellion, something big and brilliant has grown...
🌈 The first ever Matlock Pride will take place in 2026! 🌈
We’re beyond excited to see our town filled with even more love, colour, and PRIDE! 😁🌈✨❤️💪🎉
