SCC helps to launch Byte Night

JAMES Rigby, chief executive of Birmingham-based SCC, Europe’s largest technology solutions provider, has helped charity Action for Children to launch Byte Night, a sponsored sleep out that raises funds to help tackle youth homelessness in the Midlands. 

The event will take place on October 4  in St Paul’s Square, Birmingham.

The launch was held at the exclusive boutique hotel Mallory Court, near Leamington Spa and was attended by business professionals from the Midlands IT community. This is the first year that Byte Night has taken place in the Midlands, and a fund raising target of £100,000 has been set. 

With 100,000 young people estimated to be homeless in the UK last year, the event encourages teams from the technology sector and supporting organisations to come together and spend a night exposed to the elements raising funds to tackle the root causes of youth homelessness.

Rigby said: “For any young person to be homeless is a tragedy and I was shocked and moved when I heard some of their stories. But I was also inspired by the work that Action for Children is doing and learning about difference the money from Byte Night has made in other regions. And that is why SCC has got involved.”

Laurena De Bello, Action for Children fundraising manager said: “Byte Night changes lives and we are so grateful to SCC for their support.”

Professionals throw themselves off the roof for charity

A SPONSORED abseil took centre stage at a family fun day held by Edward’s Trust at headquarters of biotech firm The Binding Site in Birmingham’s Edgbaston area.

Around 50 people abseiled down the 100 ft building, including teams from accountants Chantrey Vellacott DFK, Tyndallwoods Solicitors, Barclays and The Binding Site. The event raised around £12,000 and is expected to rise to close to £20,000 once all sponsorship funds are collected.

Edward’s Trust supports children and families during serious illness and bereavement and needs to raise £500,000 of funding every year.

Stephanie Bradbury, Edward’s Trust fundraising and development manager, said: “It was a fantastic day and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed to making the event an overwhelming success, especially The Binding Site who have helped to make this possible and been such fantastic supporters of Edward’s Trust over the last couple of years.”

Suk Aulak, partner at Chantrey Vellacott DFK in Birmingham, added:  “We were delighted to be involved in what was a brilliant community day in aid of a worthy cause.”

Couch Perry Wilkes goes the extra mile for Fisher House

PROPERTY professionals from Birmingham-based environmental building services consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes are raising money in aid of Help for Heroes, The Fisher House Project (at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham) and Battle Back by organising a charity ball and taking part in a 300-mile cycling challenge from Birmingham to London.

The team will join 15 ex-Royal Engineers (‘Sappers’) and members of the Birmingham business community for the mammoth ride at the end of May, travelling through Worcester, Oxfordshire, Godalming and Chatham – the home of the Royal Engineers.

Averaging 60 miles a day over the five-day ride, Team Sapper will reach its destination (Blackheath, SE London) on Sunday June 2, from where it will join thousands of other cyclists in a parade to The Cenotaph War Memorial for a special ceremony as part of a wider Help for Heroes event that will see 350 cyclists riding from Paris to London.

Simon Seaton-Smith, Director of Couch Perry Wilkes and member of Team Sapper said: “We were delighted to be appointed as M&E consultants for the new Fisher House Project at the Queen Elizabeth hospital and it became clear from the outset that this was a very special project; providing for and supporting the families of our brave servicemen and women in a caring and positive environment.”

4,000 Birmingham pupils to benefit from City Year scheme

FINANCIAL firm Credit Suisse is backing City Year – a youth movement that recruits idealistic 18-25 year olds for a dedicated year of social action in inner city schools.

The movement has announced new plans to launch in Birmingham. The announcement marks the launch of City Year’s national expansion which will see the charity grow to support 50,000 children across five cities by 2020.

The young people that volunteer – known as corps members – support teachers with all aspects of school life, from running breakfast and after school activities, supervising break-times and providing classroom support to teachers.

Patrick Flaherty, chairman of the Credit Suisse EMEA Foundation, City Year’s national strategic partner, said: “The proven success of City Year in both the US and London meant it was an easy decision for us to become City Year’s first National Strategic Partner. 

“This inspirational charity’s unique proposition creates benefits and opportunities for both pupils and corps members resulting in a legacy of increased attainment, aspiration and employability levels.”