Evac+Chair makes a donation to St John Ambulance to mark Ben Nevis climb

A SUPPLIER and manufacturer of emergency equipment has donated a CardiAid Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to St John Ambulance, based in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham.

Evac+Chair International’s gift was donated following an appeal for help from a group of eight volunteers from the Buckland End unit on the Coleshill Road, who climbed Ben Nevis in order to raise £5,000 for life saving equipment for their community.

Six of the group members had a 9kg resuscitation practise dummy – also known as a ‘Resusci Annie’ – attached on their backs to make the climb even more challenging.

When they reached the summit, each volunteer carried out a four minute CPR exercise on the practise dummy to prove CPR can be carried out anywhere.

Louise Tomlinson, St John Ambulance unit manager at Buckland End, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank Evac+Chair for this generous donation.

“Together, we can be the difference between a life saved and a life lost. We welcome more support to help the people in our community who may one day need the AEDs we are fundraising for.”

Darryl Smith, operations director at Evac+Chair said: “The CardiAid AED is a fundamental device that brings added safety and peace of mind and Evac+Chair International is proud to be associated with such a worthwhile cause to deliver life-saving equipment to benefit local residents.”

Youth group seeks companies to take part in £74,000 training programme

AN American company is donating £74,000 to help a Birmingham youth organisation inspired by the Prince of Wales prepare young people for work.

Alcoa Foundation, part of Alcoa Inc, the world’s third largest producer of aluminium which has 200 locations in 30 countries, is working with The Pump to provide internships for unemployed youths in a two-year programme and is seeking companies willing to take part.

It will fund a 12-week course of activities designed to equip young people with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to become work ready.

The Pump, formerly known as the Shard End Community Building Project (SECBP), is the realisation of a vision of the Prince of Wales, who wanted to create an outstanding building which would not only act as a focus and inspiration for the personal development of young people, but would also be designed and built by young people.

The Pump’s partnership board, which is made up of organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors, worked to raise the funds required and find the site that would enable young people living in South East Birmingham to design and build their own centre.

The Pump grant is part of an Alcoa initiative to provide workforce readiness training, paid internships with local manufacturers, and career planning and placement for 500 unemployed youths in a number of countries.

The goal is to equip unemployed youth with the skills and experience to start successful careers in manufacturing.

The internship programme is a 12-week course of activities designed to equip young people with necessary skills and knowledge needed to become work ready.

Charlotte Linforth, The Pump’s project director, said: “Finding companies to take part is quite a challenge but the initiative offers businesses the opportunity to take on work-ready young people who have completed the course and we will pay the salary for the placement.”

Businesses interested in getting involved should contact James Pestridge on 0121 675 8381 or email james.pestridge@thepump.org.uk

Donation helps bring Black Country history to life

AN employment and training specialist is once again supporting the Black Country Living Museum’s Learning programme with a £500 donation.

Phil Pemble, from Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG), which has centres in West Bromwich, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Dudley, said the museum plays a vital part in preserving the region’s heritage.

He said: “Everyone is fascinated to learn about how their ancestors lived – in particular how people were employed and how their personal contributions led to the development of the Black Country.

“Our business is to help today’s job seekers find work to ensure the region continues to remain one of growth and prosperity. 

“Education is essential in any walk of life but the museum’s teaching programme brings a new dimension to learning by delivering a hands-on experience and we are once again supporting them through our payroll giving scheme.”