BHSF teams provide safe play area

IT was ‘groundforce day’ for five-year-old Ismah Yousef when two teams of staff from Birmingham-based BHSF transformed her garden from a wilderness to a safe play area.

Ismah suffers from global development delay which in her case means she has little mobility and is unable to communicate but she loves the outdoors which usually means a trip to the local park.

Now Ismah will have play facilities including a swing, a new lawn, a decked area and raised flower beds in her Small Heath, Birmingham, garden.

BHSF, which supplies healthcare insurance and HR support services, teamed up with Cheltenham-based WellChild, a national charity working to ensure the best possible care and support for all children living with a long-term or complex
health condition, to clear and completely renovate the garden.

It took two days under the leadership of Alastair Higginbottom from WellChild and Luke Brown from BHSF for the teams to complete the work under the watchful eye of Ismah’s father Naveed.

Naveed said: “The garden will make all the difference to Ismah. She loves being outside but our trips to the local park are difficult because there are so many people around.

“Now she will be free and safe to play in her own garden. It’s wonderful.”

Reeves & Partners raises £1,000 at hockey tournament

MORE than £1,000 was raised when commercial property agent Reeves & Partners hosted its third annual sponsored charity tournament at Warwick Club hockey pitches at Gallows Hill, Warwick.

The event, which raised money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, was supported by teams from Warwick, Olton, Coventry and North Warwickshire as well as a Warwick School Old Boys team.

Olton were crowned winners of the round-robin event, while Warwick Hockey Club secured second place.

Richard Pomfret, managing director of Reeves & Partners, which has offices in Coventry and Leamington, said: “With the start of the hockey season fast approaching, the tournament provided teams with a great opportunity to hone their skills at the same time as helping to raise money for a local charity.”

Else Invite Birmingham firms to enter charity golf event

BIRMINGHAM solicitors Else are inviting local businesses to participate in St Mary’s Hospice’s Annual Charity Golf Day.

This year’s tournament which takes place on Tuesday  October 14 at Little Aston Golf Club.

A host of regional companies will be entering teams and sponsoring holes, including St James’s Place, RBS, Fleetmilne Residential, Pinnacle Financial Services, Irwin Mitchell and Gateley.

Oliver Buckle, business development manager at Else Solicitors, said: “Else are keen to encourage our key associates and contacts to take advantage of this fantastic networking opportunity whilst raising money for a worthy cause.

“This is a chance for the Midlands’ top companies to build new ties and develop professional relationships in an informal and fun way.

“St Mary’s Hospice does outstanding work caring for people with terminal illness and supporting their families. Else would like to urge other local firms to take part in the Golf Day and back this incredible charity.”

The tournament will be concluded with Gala Fundraising Dinner and presentation of trophies for the winners.

To enter a team, sponsor a hole, or find out about other promotional opportunities, call 0800 999 3573.

BPS Birmingham starts search to find its next charity of the year

BPS Birmingham, the membership organisation for the city’s business professional and financial services sector, is on the hunt for its next charity of the year.

Every year the organisation selects a charity to support over a 12-month period and applications for the 2015 nominated charity are now open.

BPS Birmingham, which incorporates BPS Birmingham Leaders, BPS Birmingham Future and BPS Birmingham Aspire, is on the lookout for a charity that shares the organisation’s commitment to supporting and developing the opportunities available to young people within the city.

As well as a financial contribution, the selected charity will benefit from a range of other support provided by BPS Birmingham and its members. This includes recruiting volunteers and providing networking opportunities, as well as raising the profile of the selected charity amongst Birmingham’s business community.

Applications are open to registered charities that can provide full accounts for the past year and guarantee that any donations raised by BPS Birmingham and its members will be spent within the Birmingham area.