Wragge & Co’s cyclists complete charity bike ride

THIRTEEN cyclists from Birmingham law firm Wragge & Co have completed a 450-mile bike ride over five days, raising more than £14,700 (and counting) for the firm’s charity of the year, Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.

The challenge started in Paris, with the team travelling through Compiegne, Arras, Calais, crossing the channel and then on to London and finally Birmingham. Arriving in Birmingham, the ‘Tour de Wragge’ team of cyclists were welcomed with a warm reception from family, friends and colleagues.

Andy Rudall, one of the riders, said: “The challenge we’ve set ourselves this year is a tough one. While we’re all keen cyclists, no one in the team has travelled this kind of distance over five consecutive days. However the support we’ve received has been fantastic and we’re all motivated to raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause.”

Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. These wishes are once-in-a-lifetime experiences, providing a positive distraction from on-going medical treatment for patients and their families.

Higgs & Sons scores for charity

BLACK Country law firm Higgs & Sons saw more than 250 professionals from across the region come together to take part in its popular annual football tournament.

The Victoria Ground, home of Bromsgrove Sporting FC, hosted the event which saw 28 teams of local professionals and businesses compete for the coveted trophy.

The eventual winners were Baldwins Accountants, who at the end of an eventful day beat Orbis Corporate Finance in a closely fought final. Last year’s winners, Ormerod Rutter defeated Baker Tilly to take third place. In total more than £3,000 was raised for the firm’s designated charity for 2013, The Prince’s Trust.

Sonia Kaur, corporate partnership manager from The Prince’s Trust said: “The day was a fantastic success and we were lucky enough to miss any rain. We’re delighted that The Prince’s Trust has been able to benefit from such a great tournament.”

Higgs associate solicitor Richard Griffiths said: “The Higgs football tournament has become well-regarded with professionals in the region and is growing year on year.”

Brewer Bavaria Backs Ben’s Big Battlefield Bike Ride

BURTON-based brewer Bavaria is sponsoring injured soldier Ben Zissman as he starts the Big Battlefield Bike Ride in Paris in support of Help for Heroes.

Ben, 24, was halfway through his teaching degree, when he took a gap year and joined his territorial army comrades in Afghanistan in 2010. Unfortunately, he suffered life changing injuries when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in was blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED).

Ben had only been in the country four months, when the explosion left him permanently paralysed from the waist down.

Determined to show his injuries will not stop him living life to the full, Ben is devoting his considerable energy to becoming a top hand cyclist, with the long-term aim of being part of the British Paralympic team in 2016.

Mike Teague, managing director of Bavaria UK, said: “Ben lives in Burton and when I heard his story, I knew we had to do something to help. I suspect the injuries he suffered might be more than most of us could bear but Ben’s strength of character and unquenchable spirit is an example to us all.

“I’m pleased we can help Ben in his drive to achieve his short-term goal of raising £4,000 for Help for Heroes, but in the longer-term, we hope we can support Ben as he strives to become one of Britain’s best hand cyclists.”

Easyfundraising hits £5m charity milestone

A LICHFIELD company is celebrating hitting a £5m milestone of funds generated for good causes and charities across the UK.

Easyfundraising.org.uk, an online good cause shopping website, has paid out the donations over the last eight years, since the company was set up by Sutton Coldfield man Ian Woodroffe in 2005.

Woodroffe said: “It’s fantastic that we have helped so many good causes raise money, especially in tough economic conditions and at no cost to them or their supporters,” he said.

“The £5m raised has supported everything from scout groups, sports clubs and brass bands to hospices, schools and cancer charities and I would like to thank the team at easyfundraising.org.uk, all our good causes, their supporters and the retailers for making this happen.”

One local cause to benefit from using easyfundraising.org.uk is the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, which is based in Birmingham.

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of the charity, said: “We take action against the effects of childhood liver disease by providing information, emotional support, funds for research and a voice for all affected.

“To do this we rely on fundraising for 75%of our income so we actively encourage all our supporters to use easyfundraising when they shop.”