Deloitte hosts fourth annual Community Games for disability sport

SOME 225 schoolchildren from 12 schools across Birmingham and Solihull have taken part in a Community Games day, organised by accountancy firm Deloitte, to raise awareness of disability sport.

Held at the National Indoor Arena (NIA), the children had the chance to experience a number of disability sports – from Powerchair Football to Inclusive Cricket – with medals awarded to every child as recognition for their participation.

Volunteers and representatives from a number of local initiatives and clubs were on hand to help link children with the sports they enjoy. Groups included Team GB Goalball, Boccia England, Aston Villa Rockets, Badminton England and Warwickshire CCC.

Ricky Friend, a consultant at Deloitte in Birmingham and organiser of the Deloitte Community Day event, said: “Over the past four years our Community Games have encouraged hundreds of children across the region, with or without disabilities, to take part in and take up Parasport.
 
“The Community Games is a great opportunity for children to get involved with disability sport and to introduce adults and children alike to inspirational role models who have used their talents to achieve great things.”
  
 

MTC team take part in Severn Trent community projects

A TEAM of 32 apprentices from the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry have been getting their hands dirty working on two community projects at Severn Trent’s Draycote Reservoir near Rugby.

The first project involved the team of volunteer apprentices building a slabbed and decked area to give public access, including provision for disabled access, to a pond dipping area.

The second project involved creating access to, and building a bird hide in a previously overgrown area near a bridle path next to the reservoir. This also involved the building of a bridge from the path to the new bird-watching hide.

The teams completed both projects in five days, despite some torrential rain, and earned the praise of the Severn Trent Rangers who oversaw the projects.

MTC apprentice training manager Tim Kyte said: “As well as helping the community with new facilities at the reservoir, they learned a lot about project planning, problem-solving and procurement.”

Safety first for retailer One Stop

BROWNILLS-based retailer One Stop is set to launch a road safety campaign, following a successful trial at three local schools in the West Midlands.

The initiative has been developed by One Stop’s transport team in conjunction with local schools, PCSOs and road safety officers. 

Aimed at reducing the number of accidents caused by all road vehicles, the visit is linked to the national curriculum and provides practical advice to young people from the age of three to 11.

The Road Safety Day involves a lorry cab and trailer visiting the school for the entire day and spending 20 minutes with each class. The content is tailored based on the age of the participants and allows for pupils to understand the importance of being safe around traffic.

Steve Mason, head of distribution at One Stop, said:  “One Stop recognises it has a part to play in ensuring that pedestrians and other road users remain safe during the course of our deliveries.” 

Wolseley provides advent calendars for every child using local foodbank

WARWICK and Leamington Foodbank has received a donation of 100 advent calendars – enough to give one to every child who visits the foodbank this Christmas.

Donated by employees at local plumbing and heating distribution firm Wolseley UK, the advent calendars will be given out along with food parcels containing nutritionally balanced food.

Andy Bower, operations manager, Warwick and Leamington Foodbank, said: “We’d like to thank Wolseley UK for their thoughtful donation, which I know our clients and their families will appreciate.

“All the food that we give out comes from donations, whether that’s from schools, churches, businesses, individuals, or through supermarket collections and we are grateful to anyone who can help us.”

Vanessa French, general counsel, Wolseley UK, said; “We wanted to help the foodbank in the work it does for the Leamington and Warwick community – and every child deserves a treat.”