JCB Mud Run helps NSPCC clean up in the fundraising stakes

COMPETITORS in this year’s JCB Mud Run have helped to raise more than £40,000 for the NSPCC to help with its services in Staffordshire.

More than one thousand people – double the size of last year’s entry – braved the conditions to participate in the five-mile endurance event, which takes place on a specially-outlined course on land next to the excavator’s world headquarters in Rocester.

The course featured a 100 foot long underground mud tunnel, cargo nets, rope swings, monkey bars and plenty of mud.
 
Among those completing the course was George Bamford, son of JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford. Afterwards, he presented a cheque for £40,276 to the children’s charity.
 
George Bamford said: “What a great way to spend a Saturday morning. That was such a rush and I am definitely coming back next year to do it all over again. It was also great to see such a collaborative effort on behalf of JCB, not only the competitors but the dozens of volunteers who have given up their time to make this a success. To cap it all off we have raised a fantastic total for the NSPCC. JCB just keeps coming back and raising big totals and I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity.”   
 

Cancer charity benefits from raisemore’s help

A TEAM of Birmingham-based charity and fundraising experts has helped a small cancer charity open a new treatment centre which will benefit hundreds of patients.
 
raisemore, based at Fort Dunlop, specialises in helping small and growing charities maximise potential income from donors – leaving them much greater impact in a highly competitive marketplace.
 
In a sector where major charities have huge budgets and much louder voices, raisemore operates a paid-by-results system which means any size of organisation can benefit from their support – without up-front costs.
 
raisemore’s latest partnership is with PDT for Cancer Cure, a charity based in Northampton, which provides specialised treatment through a method called photodynamic therapy (PDT) – an alternative to non-invasive treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
 
raisemore has only recently launched its services, but is already working with more than 10 charities across the UK in a variety of sectors.
 
The fundraising initiative has seen PDT for Cancer Cure open it its latest PDT centre at The Royal Cornwall Hospital, in Truro.  They have donated the most technically advanced, cost-effective and efficient PDT equipment to the hospital, enabling it to set up a new treatment centre which benefits hundreds of patients in the area.
 
Claire Healy, managing director of raisemore, said: “We have not been going for long, but our team have decades of combined experience in the fundraising world – not only that, but we have pulled in the best third party providers to ensure we can offer the most efficient fundraising solution for all charitable organisations – no matter what their size.”

Pictured at the presentation at the Royal Cornwall Hospital are, from left: Bill and Barbara Loryman, from PPDT for Cancer Care, Alison Curnow and Sandra Campbell, from the RCH.
 

S&X helps BCU design students showcase their work

 
BIRMINGHAM-based PR agency S&X Media will showcase the work of Birmingham City University design students when it moves into its new Jewellery Quarter office space later this year.

S&X joined forces with students from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD) – part of BCU – to develop a live project assignment for first year design studies students, focused on upcycling.

Working in groups, the students were tasked with reusing materials supplied by local manufacturers to create designs and prototypes for a piece of furniture, storage, lighting or display.

The winning design, a stool using brass, steel, foam and seating fabric, was produced by a team comprising Gavin Atkinson, Minh Dao, Iona Dias, David Gu, Rayhan Miah and Hans Ramzan. The design prototype is being commissioned for production and will feature in the agency’s new office.

S&X and the university teamed up with Jewellery Quarter manufacturers, A.E. Harris & Co, Chapman Driver Seating and Toye & Co, with each company providing materials for the students.

Managing director of S&X Paul Phedon said: “We wanted to work with BCU design students on a project which will help reinforce our highly creative working environment. The students have created innovative and contemporary upcycling design concepts that certainly met the brief.”

The final production version of the stool will be revealed when the agency moves in to their new Jewellery Quarter offices, later this year.

Pictured are the winning group. From left: Gavin Atkinson, Hans Ramzan, Minh Dao, Iona Dias and Rayhan Miah.