Birmingham firms back Mike Gatting as he puts the pedal down for charity

FORMER England cricket captain Mike Gatting is set to lead a team of Birmingham businesses when they embark on a gruelling cycle ride to raise cash for charity.

The batting legend will join staff from the Birmingham branches of asset management group Investec Wealth and Investment Ltd and law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer on the 330-mile ride from Durham to London.

The five-day Investec Ashes Cycle Challenge hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the Marie Curie Hospice Solihull, The Lord Taverners, the UK’s leading youth cricket and disability sports charity and cancer charity Macmillan.

Organised with support from the English Cricket Board, the ride will set off from Emirates Stadium, Durham, on Saturday July 13 and finish at Lords Cricket Ground on Wednesday July 17, ahead of the start of the Ashes series between England and Australia.

Along the route the team will also be joined by Olympic Gold medal swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who will cycle the Manchester to Nottingham leg of the journey and Athens Silver medalist Leon Taylor.

Among those taking part will be James Harvey, of Berryman’s Lace Mawer and Keith Scott, of Investec Wealth and Investment.

“We are excited about the challenge, it will be tough, but we hope to have lots of fun whilst raising money for very worthy charities,” said Harvey.

West Midland companies urged to sign up for bull run

MORE than 80 companies have signed up for this year’s Mercantile Club Bull Run in Birmingham.

The annual event, now in its fifth year, has attracted widespread support since its inception, helping to raise thousands of pounds for various charities along the way.

This year’s event takes place on Thursday July 4, starting at 5pm. The evening includes prize draws, auctions and some surprises. There will also be a special prize for the best dressed ‘Yankee’ following this year’s theme of American Independence Day.

Last year the Mercantile Club Bull Run raised £5,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Kerrang Cash for Kids. The funds were used to provide grants to support community projects and children’s charities supporting sick and vulnerable children.

This year the Mercantile Club Bull Run supporters are hoping to smash the target and raise more than £7,000 to support Lisieux Trust and Kerrang Cash for Kids.

The Lisieux Trust provides emotional and practical support for people living with disabilities and Cash for Kids provides grants to support children across the West Midlands region who are sick, vulnerable or suffering from life-limiting illnesses.

Bart Dalton, Event Director for the Mercantile Club Bull Run said: “This is one of Birmingham’s liveliest business events and it gets better every year. It’s a good opportunity to build your business connections while raising lots of money to support two important causes.”

The deadline for signing up for this year’s event is Wednesday June 19. For more information and to book tickets visit www.mercantileclub.co.uk/bullrun.  Alternatively call 0121 600 7934.

Sydney Mitchell boosts fundraising at charity quiz night

LAW firm Sydney Mitchell raised £2,200 for its nominated charities at its annual charity quiz. The funds mean the firm has now raised £3,000 towards its target of £10,000 for the year.

The quiz, which took place at Aston University Lakeside Conference Centre, was contested by 17 teams.

The winning team was Cornwall Street Chambers Team 1 who pipped Merito Financial Services to the post by just one point. Third prize was awarded to Lloyds TSB. 

The firm’s nominated charities are the Maria Watt Foundation, which raises supports teenagers and children with cancer and the Tiny Babies Appeal at Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

Div Singh, Senior Partner, Sydney Mitchell said: “We are committed to making this a great year for our chosen charities; this was just the springboard we needed to propel us towards our fundraising goal.  It is great to see the support from the professional community and our hardworking team at Sydney Mitchell; thank to all who give up their time to make our events so successful.”

Pictured are, from left: Diane Watt, of the Maria Watt Foundation; Kam Majevadia, Sydney Mitchell and Eileen Rock, Birmingham Women’s Hospital.