Mondelez International helps to transform derelict site

STAFF from Mondelez International joined local volunteers to celebrate the transformation of the Green Meadow Road site in Weoley Castle, Birmingham.

The derelict site has been transformed into a multi-functional community food growing space, thanks to Mondelez International’s Health for Life programme.

Funded by the Mondelez International Foundation and delivered by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), the Green Meadow Road Community food growing space has gone from strength to strength since work began on the overgrown site two years ago, on land provided by Bournville Village Trust.

Celebrating its two year anniversary this month, volunteers are now putting the finishing touches to the space, including the creation of a wheelchair accessible growing area, a wildlife area and pond, a polytunnel, and a large growing area where residents can plant and harvest their own fruit and vegetables.

Phil Greenhalgh, UK managing director at Mondelez International – which manufactures Cadbury’s chocolate – said: “Two years ago, I visited Green Meadow and worked alongside colleagues to clear the site as
part of our Global Volunteer Month programme.

“It is great to be back here again and see how the space has been transformed.

“I have no doubt this is just the beginning of a wonderful space which will benefit the local community for years to come.”  

KPMG team limbers up for charity run

A TEAM of six runners from KPMG Enterprise in Birmingham is training to take part in the Morrisons Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge on Sunday 18 October.
 
The team is fundraising for Cure Leukaemia and aims to raise at least £2,000, a figure that would be worth £20,000 in potentially life-saving drug treatments for blood cancer patients in Birmingham.
 
The team hopes for an average running time of under two hours, with the strongest runners aiming to complete the challenge in around an hour and a half.
 
Lucy Fairclough, team coordinator, said:  “Our colleague’s husband, Frazer Lakin, is a personal trainer and he was kind enough to design training programmes to get us all half marathon ready!
 
“Our strongest runner, Gareth Wainwright, is part of a running club and takes part every year, so we’re hoping for a great time from him. One of the firm’s partners, Simon Purkess, has also joined the team so we’re expecting big things from him too.”
 
The team will join another strong Cure Leukaemia contingent this October after over 800 runners have represented the charity in the last two years.

New networking event in Birmingham focuses on charity awareness

A NEW charity networking event launched at Hotel du Vin, Birmingham in an attempt to reconnect businesses to the local community.

The event, hosted by Midlands-based community interest company DBS Heart, will be hosted monthly at the hotel, and will invite a charity partner to each event to talk about their charity and also receive any profits and donations received from the event.

The PULSE networking events have been designed with the main mission of the community interest company in mind, which is to connect businesses together and create a business network which provides a positive impact to the local communities they serve.

The first event was partnered by City Year UK, a leading youth and education charity providing coordinated opportunities for full time volunteering within schools.

Josh Henwood, executive officer of DBS Heart CIC, said: “This is exactly what we want to host as a flagship event for DBS Heart as it captures our vision for CSR and how the local business communities of the Midlands should come together to support each other and the local community as a whole.”

“By raising funds and awareness for numerous different charities through something as simple and commonplace as a casual networking event, we are seeing our mission of connecting businesses to the community realised.”

Future plans including expanding the PULSE event series across both the East and West Midlands.

Davy Bal, chairman of DBS Heart, said: “The progression of DBS Heart’s PULSE events seeks precisely to bring business together and connect to the wider communities. I am very pleased with the support we have received from businesses including KPMG, and RBS amongst others.”

eZe-talk provides backing for LoveBrum

TELECOMS firm eZe-talk has become a corporate sponsor of LoveBrum, the charity set up to support hidden gem projects in Birmingham.

LoveBrum comprises a network of businesses and members who all share the aim of enriching Birmingham; helping to fund and support projects that make it a better place.

All funds raised by LoveBrum stay local to the region and, so far this year, the charity has donated £17,000 to five very worthy causes; Lily Mae Foundation, Sampson Road Residents Association, Homelands Festival, Ups and Downs, and Serve Our Brummies.

Mike Taitt, CEO of eZe-talk, said: “We’re really happy to join LoveBrum. We believe the charity reflects many of our company’s ambitions to better community life.”

Tim Andrews, chairman of trustees at LoveBrum, said: “Having eZe-talk come on board is really important to us. As an independent telecoms provider, it means we can further our offering to our sponsors and reduce our overheads, which means more of the funds raised will reach the projects that we’re supporting.”