West Brom brews up for Marie Curie Cancer Care

STAFF at the West Brom building society have helped raise almost £3,000 for their charity of the year, Marie Curie Cancer Care.
 
Building society branches throughout the West Midlands hosted a series of ‘Blooming Great Tea Parties’, serving tea and homemade cakes to their customers in exchange for donations.
 
Workers at the society’s head office in West Bromwich also joined in with all money collected supporting Marie Curie’s work caring for terminally ill people in their own homes and in its nine hospices.
 
David Peckham, manager of the West Brom in Knowle, was among those taking part.  He said: “We all worked hard to create a delicious spread for our customers, and thanks to their generosity we have managed to raise an impressive overall total.
 
“It’s wonderful to be able to support such a deserving cause which cares for people and their families under the most challenging circumstances.”
 
Marie Curie expects its supporters to host around 7,000 Blooming Great Tea Parties across the UK this summer, raising an estimated £750,000 and helping to fund 37,500 hours of nursing care.

Sweet treat by Cadbury workers

VOLUNTEERS from the home of Cadbury have created a unique children’s labyrinth at the Baddesley Clinton National Trust site.  

Thirteen volunteers from Mondeléz International’s Bournville site spent a day redeveloping the children’s adventure play area at the manor house and gardens, near Knowle.

Mike Jones, Senior Buyer at Mondeléz International, said: “We had an extremely enjoyable and productive time at Baddesley Clinton. We didn’t expect to complete the entire project in one day, especially in such extreme heat, but we worked well together as a team and we’re very pleased with the finished product.”

Mark Watkins, parks and gardens manager at Baddesley Clinton, added: “I’d like to offer a huge thank you to the Mondeléz International volunteers. We’ve been hoping to improve our children’s area for some time and the labyrinth makes a perfect addition.”

The activity is part of a long standing relationship between Mondeléz International and Baddesley Clinton.

Pearl Ball adds luster to Age UK

AGE UK Solihull’s 30th anniversary ball has raised £13,500 for local charities. The Pearl Ball, which was held in conjunction with Solihull SUSTAiN, took place at The St John’s Hotel and was attended by more than 360 guests.

Emily Cooper, Fundraising Manager for Age UK Solihull, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have raised so much money for local charities. Last year the SUSTAiN ball raised £8,000 so it is wonderful to have beaten that by a significant margin this year. The money raised will make a huge difference to hundreds of charities in the borough, including Age UK Solihull.”

The total from this year’s ball means that over the last three years, Solihull Together, the fundraising programme run by SUSTAiN, has raised and distributed more than £30,000 to charities in the borough.

Guests at this year’s event included Solihull Life Opportunities, Victim Support Solihull, DIAL Solihull, Gro-Organic and Seeds of Hope, and LaSer UK.

Also present was the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Joe Tildesley, who has nominated Age UK Solihull as one of his nominated charities for the year, plus Tom Lackey, who, at 91, is the world’s oldest wingwalker, and is also one of Age UK Solihull’s ambassadors.

Darren McGhee, General Manager of The St Johns Hotel, said: “It really was a great evening and we were stunned to see how much it had raised for Solihull charities. We are pleased to be associated with this annual event, which brings together the best of the business and voluntary sector under one roof, all with the aim of helping local causes.”

June Mole, Solihull SUSTAiN’s Services Development Officer, pictured left with Ms Cooper, said: “The Pearl Ball turned out to be a real diamond evening for us. We are so grateful for everyone’s support. What we raised will make a huge difference to many charities throughout Solihull.”