Hollywood Monster cycle challenge raises cancer charity cash

HOLLYWOOD Monster’s Tim Andrews is celebrating after undertaking a gruelling challenge to help improve the lives of cancer patients across the West Midlands.

As part of Coast2Coast, Tim and a team of cyclists rode more than 800 miles to seven coastlines in seven days, raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust and The Stephen Staunton Foundation.

Launched by South and City College Birmingham, Coast2Coast continues the legacy and brand for 7inSeven, which Tim helped set up with Gus Lunt and Phil Upton in 2013. Last year’s challenge saw riders cycle through seven countries across Europe in seven days for HelpHarryHelpOthers.

Tim got back on his saddle again to take part in this new challenge and Hollywood Monster, his Birmingham-based signage company, sponsored the final leg.

He said: “It really was the most difficult challenge I have ever undertaken, climbing a total of 47,000 feet, but the team spirit was huge and that helped us all when it hurt to be in the saddle and was agony to turn the pedals.

“It’s a privilege to get involved with raising money for these fantastic charities and it was also the ideal time to honour the memory of Stephen Sutton, whose fundraising efforts for the Teenage Cancer Trust has been such an inspiration to many.”

Overall, Coast2Coast looks to raise more than £50,000 to help improve the lives of young people with cancer in the region.

Prince Trust benefits from London to Paris ride

A GROUP of West Midlands cyclists covered more than 300 miles in four days to raised money for charity.

Some 26 members of the Barnt Green Chaingang cycling club took on the London to Paris challenge. Colin White of Birmingham-based Ortus Group was amongst their number.

He has currently raised £915 for the charity with donations from the likes of DBS Law, Gateley and Baker Tilly.

Colin said: “While this might be the toughest challenge I’ve endured in recent times, its nothing compared to the daily challenges of the young people who are helped every day by the Prince’s Trust.

“I’m pleased to be able to contribute to their good work with the modest sponsorship achieved for this event.”

Law firm workers swap their desks for the dance floor

COVENTRY-based law firm Band Hatton Button is staging a ball to raise funds for the Heart of England Community Foundation, a charity which gives grants to support community projects across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull.

The ball is the brainchild of Band Hatton Button partner Dawn Mobbs, who is hoping to attract around 250 guests to the event which is being held on Friday, September 5 at the Coventry Hilton Hotel at Walsgrave.

She said: “The Heart of England Community Foundation does a fantastic job in ensuring that local causes and projects are helped.

“Often they are not the major headline causes, but projects and initiatives that really matter to their communities.

“It has been a very tough few years for small community charities and projects and often the help that the Foundation provides is vital to them continuing their good work.

“The profile of the causes the Foundation helps and the fact the money is distributed in this area, is very appealing to local businesses.”