Bavaria welcomes Help for Heroes hand-cyclist

BREWER Bavaria has welcomed Ben Zissman to its UK headquarters in Burton on Trent to present him with the company’s latest donation to his Help for Heroes fundraising efforts.

Ben, who sustained life-changing injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan, has just completed the Big Battlefield Bike Ride, in aid of Help for Heroes. The 350 mile ride which began in Paris was undertaken by 294 cyclists, including 50 wounded personnel and veterans who were keen to show there is life after serious injury and that cycling is a great escape.

Ben said of the ride: “It took months of planning and a huge effort by a lot of people, but it was all worth it.”

Bavaria UK managing director Mike Teague said: “It was great to catch up again with Ben and for us all to hear about the ride.

“Ben’s drive and determination to overcome the obstacles life has thrown in his path, is an inspiration to us all and I’m pleased we can help in our own small way.”

WAE+ pledges £10,000 to Midlands Air Ambulance in 2013

BIRMINGHAM-based online retailer WAE+ has announced its intention to donate at least £10,000 to its charity of the year Midlands Air Ambulance.

The business has already kicked off its fundraising with a £2,500 contribution and sponsorship of two air ambulance events: the Recognition Awards and Charity Ball and a charity golf day.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is the largest and longest-running air ambulance service in the UK, covering Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and West Midlands. Relying solely on donations, the charity operates three air ambulances, which have responded to over 38,500 emergency calls since its launch in 1991.

Ben Slater, operations Director at WAE+, said: “Having had such a successful first year of business, we felt the time was right to share our good fortune with a local charity.

“Our team selected the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity as it is a great local cause. With each mission vital to someone in the area needing help, we decided to get involved in supporting the charity with its life-saving work. Our team has a variety of fun fundraising events planned.”

LaSer UK scales Yorkshire Three Peaks

EMPLOYEES from Solihull finance, loyalty and data services firm LaSer UK enthusiastically embraced the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge as part of their ‘Make a Difference’ CSR programme.

The ten-strong team trained for many months to complete the challenge within 12 hours, climbing Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough to raise £5,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, LaSer UK’s chosen charity for 2013. 

Anthony Tenniswood, part of the Three Peaks team said, “This was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever taken on. The pain and fatigue we endured helped make it such a rewarding challenge, along with knowing how much good will come from the money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“I think all the sponsors got their moneys’ worth from the team and we thank them all for their support.”

The ‘Make a Difference’ programme has supported more than 15 charities since its launch in 2008 including Marie Curie Cancer Care, Age UK, Teenage Cancer Trust and Solihull food bank.  LaSer UK has raised £20,000 and volunteered over 80 hours within the community so far this year.  The team has raised more than £160,000 since launching its CSR programme.
 

Higgs donates 100 screens to charity

BLACK Country law firm Higgs & Sons has donated more than 100 PC monitors to Birmingham-based charity Cerebral Palsy Midlands (CPM).
 
CPM will sell the used equipment as a means to raise further money to fund its work.
 
CPM has been supporting and inspiring people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities since 1947. The charity relies purely on grants from charitable trusts, funding from local councils and donations from businesses. 
 
Higgs & Sons’ IT director, Stephen Brown, managed the donation. He said: “As a firm, we strive to support local charities and get involved wherever possible.
 
“As a firm, our clinical negligence team offers specialist legal advice to families affected by cerebral palsy and has therefore seen the benefit of charitable support from organisations such as Cerebral Palsy Midlands first-hand.
 
“It was a pleasure working with such a worthwhile charity and I hope we can find opportunities to work with them again in the not so distant future.”