Midcounties Co-op boss tackles coast-to-coast trek for teen cancer charity

BEN Reid, chief executive at The Midcounties Co-operative, strapped up his walking boots to face a gruelling 194-mile coast-to-coast challenge to help raise more than £4,700 for Teenage Cancer Trust.
 
He completed the walk from St Bees to Robin Hood’s Bay in 13 days to boost the organisation’s £500,000 fundraising target for its charity partner, with donations pouring in from Midcounties’ members as well as Ben’s colleagues and friends.
 
The challenge saw Ben and his wife Sue, who is general manager for the travel group of the society, face daily climbs of up to 2,400 feet. They spent an average of 14 hours a day tackling the cross country walk.
 
Ben Reid said: “I was really inspired by all the hard work and support that Teenage Cancer Trust provides to help improve the lives of young people living with cancer and it motivated me to take on the challenge.
 
“It was a tough two weeks that really pushed us but it was all worthwhile to raise money for this fantastic cause, and I’d like to thank everyone who generously donated to help us continue our support for the charity.”

SERS names Cancer Research UK as its chosen charity

STAFFORDSHIRE-based energy-saving technology and construction company SERS Energy Solutions has named Cancer Research UK as its chosen charity for the next 12 months.

The company aims to raise cash for Cancer Research UK through a wide variety of methods including community events and pledge boxes.

SERS director Mike Roberts said the company had traditionally raised large amounts of money for various causes, but for the coming year it has decided to concentrate most of its efforts on a single charity.

“Last year we donated around £40,000 for a variety of charities and good causes, so we hope we will be able to better that this year,” he said.
 
A team from SERS recently took part in the annual 100-mile CARTEN cycle ride from Cardiff to Tenby, raising well over £2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

PPDG comes to aid of St John Ambulance

LIFE-saving equipment can now be provided thanks to the £6,000 fundraising efforts of St John Ambulance volunteers and the support from local businesses.
 
The donation of five automated external defibrillators (AEDs) has been made possible by the efforts of a team of eight charity volunteers who scaled Ben Nevis complete with a 9kg resuscitation practice dummy – known as ‘Resusci Anne’- strapped to their backs.
 
The Chelmsley Wood office of employment and training specialists Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) was one of the team’s corporate supporters.
 
In previous years PPDG has helped provide new uniforms for the Bucklands End branch of St Johns. On this occasion another payroll donation provided the team with sturdy footwear for the challenge.
 
Unit manager Louise Tomlinson said: “As volunteers we rely on the support of local businesses and once again the Chelmsley Wood based staff of PPDG nominated us for support.”
 
PPDG spokesman Phil Pemble, based in the Solihull High St office, praised the volunteers’ efforts.
 
“None of us ever know when we might be taken ill and need immediate first aid,” he said.
 

J S Wright ladies raise £1,000 for cancer research

A TEAM of ladies from Birmingham-based building services provider J S Wright raised more than £1,000 for breast cancer research after taking part in Sutton Coldfield’s Race for Life.

The ‘Pink Panters’, based at the firm’s Aston headquarters, braved the rain to pound their way around the 5k course in Sutton Park.

They were among around 5,000 women and girls in a sea of pink that were helping to fund the life-saving work of the charity Cancer Research UK.

The team consisted of Karen Lloyd, Angie Swann, Stephanie Coffey, Sandra Holmes, Ruth Holmes and Ruth’s daughter Mischa.