Charity: Leeds Bradford Airport turns pink for Breast Cancer Haven; High Street TV bakes off for hospice; Esh launches bursary scheme and more

LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT has this week changed colour for the first time in its history in support of national charity Breast Cancer Haven, which has a centre in Leeds.

The move, which sees the Airport’s customary blue lighting change to striking pink, is taking place during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Kayley Worsley, PR and public affairs manager at LBA, said: “As the region’s international airport, we are really pleased to support this awareness campaign and as such our terminal front lighting will change to pink for a week in October.

“It’s the first time we have been involved, and we hope that it’s a real success. It will be an impressive sight to see so many iconic buildings in the region participating.”

Leeds Bradford Airport will stay ‘in the pink’ until Sunday. Other iconic landmarks taking part in the campaign include Bridgewater Place, The University of Leeds, The Mansion in Roundhay Park and The Queen’s Hotel.

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HARROGATE-based High Street TV has raised £735 for Saint Michael’s Hospice after hosting its own ‘The Great High Street TV Bake Off’ event last week.

The team worked hard to show off their culinary skills, as their bakes were judged by High Street TV chief executive Jim Coleman, chairman Andrew Malcher and Great British Bake Off runner up and Good Housekeeping’s Food Blogger of the year, Holly Bell.
 
International director Phil Woods and his ‘Chicken Dinner Cake’ won the overall competition.

Ms Bell said: “The High Street TV team really took this challenge in their stride.  I had so much fun judging the different categories and I’m really pleased to have been a part of a day that raised so much money for a great cause.”

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THE Esh Group has launched a community bursary scheme offering support to local groups with grants of up to £1,000.

The Esh Charitable Trust supports the initiative, and awards grants to projects to improve the quality of life for residents, helping vulnerable communities, improving employment, and promoting equality.

Celeste Armitage, added value coordinator at Esh Group, said: “We try and be as flexible as possible when making grants. They are for everything from established charities to local community action groups that are looking to a difference.

“I would encourage everyone involved with community projects and initiatives to think about applying.”

Esh Group has run community grant schemes since 2012 and has donated over £145,000 to local projects.

Esh is inviting applications ahead of the deadline on 25 November 2016

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DOZENS of children from across Leeds enjoyed a day of outdoor fun at Lineham Farm this week, when colleagues from marketing agency Bewonder held their annual ‘Give & Gain’ event.

More than 20 staff left their laptops and phones behind and swapped a day at the office for a day working with local youngsters at the farm and children’s centre which provides respite breaks and activity holidays.

As part of JLL’s national effort supporting ‘Give & Gain’ – the global initiative where businesses support employees giving over a day to volunteering – colleagues at the City Point–based agency went back to nature, accompanying groups of children orienteering and learning about bush craft during the day of outdoor activities.

“Every year we try to do something a little different for Give & Gain,” said director Kaye Walker, head of Bewonder. “Leeds Children’s Charity does incredible work, helping to create happy childhood memories for the neediest of families from across the city, and we thought it would be terrific to work with them and do something for local children.

“We raised more than £1,500 from colleague and supplier donations and sponsorship beforehand and we gave each child on the day a goodie bag which had been kindly provided by our suppliers too. This year’s Give & Gain day was a huge success, and we’re grateful to everyone who lent their support to us.”

Bewonder marketing manager Adam Clark also had his head shaved at the Leeds office as part of the fundraising effort in advance of the day of charity activity.

Dave Norman, director of Leeds Children’s Charity, said: “All of the young people enjoyed the day and the Bewonder team were fantastic,” he said. “They all worked very hard and were very supportive to the young people.”

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DO you think you can do better than Sir Alan Sugar’s candidates on the BBC’s The Apprentice?

St Gemma’s Hospice is challenging businesses to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test to raise vital funds towards patient care at the Hospice.

‘The You’re Hired’ Challenge, inspired by the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ sees teams challenged with making as much money as possible from a £30 start-up kitty.

Past challenges have seen teams holding quizzes, bake sales, sponsored challenges and car-boot sales as they battle it out to raise the cash and take the winner’s trophy in the boardroom showdown.

Teams can also be set assignments to complete on the day along with their own creative money-making ideas. Participants will use leadership, creativity and negotiation skills while gaining a unique insight into the fundraising challenges experienced by Yorkshire’s largest Hospice.

St Gemma’s Hospice is now looking for companies interested in arranging this team building activity for their employees and are offering flexible date and venues.

Laura Ferris, corporate fundraiser at St. Gemma’s, said: “We want to hear from any businesses that are inspired by BBC’s The Apprentice and think they can do better! Our ‘You’re Hired’ challenge will let them show off their entrepreneurial flair whilst helping us raise essential funds for our patient care and support for their families.

“St Gemma’s Hospice costs millions of pounds a year to run and we rely on fundraising and donations from local businesses and the wider community. We can organise ‘You’re Hired’ events flexibly to suit the company and will provide information, support and encouragement for all the participants.”

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NONNAS customers have helped raise £1,749 towards the Amatrice earthquake relief appeal.

The Ecclesall Road Italian donated £1 from every pasta dish sold throughout September.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Denise Fox, received the cheque on behalf of the appeal.

Amatrice – which was close to the epi-centre of the recent earthquake – was virtually flattened by the disaster that caused almost 300 deaths.

Nonnas proprietor Maurizo Mori said: “The earthquake has been devastating for a small town that inspired one of the country’s most iconic dishes.

“It’s wonderful that the Lord Mayor of Sheffield visited to receive the cheque.”