JS Wright takes to two wheels for charity

ENGINEERS from Birmingham-based building services provider JS Wright turned to pedal power to raise £1,525 for the British Heart Foundation. 

A team of ten cyclists from the company’s Aston and London offices won the mental and physical battle to complete this year’s London to Brighton Bike Ride and even beat their fund-raising target of £1,000.

Mehmet Emin, Gerry Rae, Leon Brooks, Brett Ferguson, George Garner and Tino de Freitas were among the team that cycled the 54-mile route.

They were joined by contracts director Phil Leech who also raised £170 individually, operations director for London and the South East Paul Featherston, contracts manager Robin Thorne, and director of R&M Fittings Steve Cargill, who also sponsored the sleek JS Wright cycling kit. 

Phil Leech, based in Birmingham, said: “This was a fantastic effort by a team that included a number of cycling novices, every one of whom was determined to raise as much money as possible for such a vital cause.”

Teenage Cancer Trust is Crowe Clark Whitehill’s staff choice

STAFF at Midlands accountancy firm Crowe Clark Whitehill have chosen Teenage Cancer Trust as their charity for 2013-4.

Teenage Cancer Trust is dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people aged between 13 and 24 who have been diagnosed with the disease.

The charity builds specialist units within NHS hospitals so that young people can be treated in a suitable environment, alongside other people their age. There are now 25 of these units across the UK, including three in Birmingham.

The choice continues the firm’s link to the medical world – in 2012-13 it raised £7,586 for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity towards the recently opened Fisher House facility for military patients and their families.

Crowe Clark Whitehill Staff Partner Dave Darlaston said: “Obviously cancer is a shattering blow at any age but somehow seems even more poignant when it afflicts young people with their whole lives ahead of them.

“Our staff always decide the charity to be supported on an annual basis and Teenage Cancer Trust struck a chord.”

Support for the charity kicked off at the beginning of July with audit manager Chris Mould launching the year by completing the Three Peaks Challenge – a walk up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, all in the space of 24 hours.

Food bank collection kick-starts Steelite campaign

STOKE-on-Trent manufacturer Steelite International has launched a new fund designed to help the most deserving charities and community groups in its home city.

As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations the company has established the Steelite Community Fund and has pledged to support deserving organisations within a five-mile radius of its headquarters in Middleport.

Employees at the factory kick-started this new initiative by committing to collecting up to 2,500 items of food for the Stoke Food Bank, which will be distributed to the city’s most needy homes.

The food collection is the first of numerous initiatives planned by the 900-strong workforce, including a Teacup and Candlelight Ball scheduled for October which it is hoped will raise tens of thousands of pounds for the community fund. 

Managing director Neil Hooper said: “Steelite International is one of the city’s leading employers and we recognise that we have a responsibility to support not only our own loyal employees but also the community where so many of them live.”