Walsall ladies tackle muddy cancer challenge

A GROUP of 18 ladies from Walsall College will test their stamina by climbing, jogging and walking over a gruelling (and very muddy) obstacle course tomorrow to raise hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK.
 
Several departments at the college have joined forces to take part in the Pretty Muddy Birmingham Race for Life event in Longbridge, Birmingham. They will be getting down and dirty as hundreds of female fundraisers complete the challenging 5k course.
 
The Walsall College contingent comes from departments including health and public services, quality, human resources and the principalship and despite initially setting a target of £100, the girls have already broken the £260 mark ahead of the race.
 
Lynn Poxon, trainer assessor in health and social care, said: “The hardest challenge is that we have all taken part in Race for Life before, but no one has done the Pretty Muddy event which isn’t like any other fundraising event.

“It is a 5k muddy obstacle course where women of any ability can climb, jog and walk all over cancer. So completing it will be a challenge, but I am sure we will have a lot of laughs along the way.”
 
 

Virgin Media employees get their kit on for local charity

STAFF at Virgin Media’s Eagle Court offices in Solihull turned to social media to help raise funds for Birmingham’s Children Hospital.
 
As part of the firm’s annual charity day, employees embraced a sporting theme. 
 
Staff jumped at the chance to don their favourite sporting fancy dress to join in with the day’s activities, including taking selfies. Other events included a sack race and Wii sports challenges. The sportily-clad staff also embraced the power of the web by tweeting support for their local charities to generate online buzz.
 
Helen Scott, Virgin Media’s people director said: “Charity day is a highlight in our calendar.  We love working together to come up with novel and fun ways to raise cash for good causes. It was great to see everyone turning to their social media accounts to create buzz for Birmingham’s Children Hospital with selfies proving extremely popular.”
 

Midcounties Co-operative Community Fund open for local applications

LOCAL community groups in the West Midlands are being offered the chance to apply for grants of up to £2,000 from The Midcounties Co-operative’s Community Fund.
 
The Society is now accepting applications from local charity groups and voluntary organisations that provide services that meet the needs of the local community.
 
The Community Fund was first launched in 2011 and applications for this round of funding close on Friday August 8th. Interested groups must be a member of The Midcounties Co-operative and operating in a community where there is a store.
 
As part of its co-operative values, the Society contributes a share of its profits to provide the grants, which is made possible simply by customers choosing to shop in its stores. The donation forms part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s social responsibility commitment to give back to and support the local community.
 
Previous grants have been awarded to the Beacon Centre for the Blind in Wolverhampton and St. Matthew’s Church in Walsall, which received support to fund a children’s holiday club.

Wall James Chappell golf day raises money for Midlands Air Ambulance

THE Wall James Chappell Annual Charity Golf Day took place at the Blackwell Golf Club in Bromsgrove.

The Stourbridge law firm’s event helped raised more than £700 for Midlands Air Ambulance.

More than ten teams competed in a four-ball competition and the team from FRP Advisory ran out winners, with OGL runners up. There was also a longest drive and nearest the pin contest.

James Rousell, a partner at Wall James Chappell, said:  “We would like to thank all of those who supported this year`s golf event particularly those companies and local businesses who entered a team.

“We are delighted to have raised more than £700 for Midlands Air Ambulance.”