GVA staffers hit the road for hospice charity

STAFF from the Midlands office of property adviser GVA have taken to two wheels for a charity cycle ride in aid of local charity Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The 17-strong team, including 13 GVA staff members and four guide cyclists from Cycle Chain and Birmingham City Council, set out on the 10.6 mile round-trip from Birmingham’s Brindleyplace to Cadbury World and back again.

The event, which involved selling chocolate to staff as part of their campaign to support ‘Together for Short Lives’, saw the company raise over £380 in chocolate sales to staff members and their families.

Together for Short Lives is a lobbying and campaigning organisation for the children’s palliative care sector.

Sam Lawrence, director at GVA and regional charity group member, said: “The charity cycle ride was a great challenge and a fantastic opportunity to show our continued support for Birmingham’s local charities.”

GVA will be holding a Christmas raffle during the month of December to help raise further funds for the hospice.

The Albion Foundation launches its challenge for 2015

FOLLOWING on from the success of the ‘Walk The Albion Way’ charity event, which raised more than £16,000 in 2014, West Bromwich Albion’s charitable partner, The Albion Foundation, has announced the ‘Tri Albion Challenge’ for 2015.

It will consist of three linked challenges over the course of 2015, all of which will raise funds for the Foundation.

The first challenge features 30 cyclists traveling from St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton to Albion’s ground the The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. The ride will take place over three days and 156 miles.

Notable cyclists include WBA legend Brendon Batson and Foundation ambassador ‘Blind Dave Heeley’.

The group are appealing for fans and cyclists alike to join them on this bike ride and raise funds for the Foundation. Supporters are encouraged to pay a £50.00 deposit to secure their place on the ride as soon as possible due to the limited availability.

Following this, a WBA team of blind footballers will visit every school in Sandwell (120 schools) within five days to raise the profile of disability sport and the work of the Foundation in these schools.

“Blind Dave Heeley” will then be the first blind man to run the Marathon De Sables – 150+ miles over six days across the searing heat of the Sahara Desert, carrying all supplies over the six days on his back.

You can donate to The Albion Foundation here or by texting TRIA15 £3 to 70070 to donate £3.

An Albion spokesman said:  “After the success of last year’s walk from  Liverpool to The Hawthorns, we are looking to surpass that with the Tri Albion Challenge in 2015.”

Businesses bring Christmas cheer to local schools

FIVE businesses in the West Midlands have brought some Christmas cheer to local young children.

Colourcubed, the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Irwin Mitchell, the Institute of Asian Businesses and The Rigby Group all sponsored a performance of Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Christmas production, The BFG, giving more than 70 young children from four local schools a trip to the theatre to see the show.

Pupils from Hillstone Primary in Shard End, St Hubert’s Primary in Oldbury, The Grove School, Handsworth and Baskerville School in Harborne got to see the BFG thanks to the gesture.

Anya Sampson, development manager at Birmingham Repertory Theatre said: “We are delighted that these local businesses have supported us in this way therefore enabled local school children to come and see the show who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to.”

Chris Rawstron, partner and head of business legal services at Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham, said: “Supporting the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in this way is important to us and we are delighted that as a result, so many children have been able to go along and enjoy the performance.”

Sanja Ball raises £24,000 for special needs charity

BUSINESSES in Staffordshire have helped to raise £24,000 for The Peter Pan Nursery for Children with Special Needs.

More than 200 guests attended the glamorous Hollywood/Bollywood-themed ball at Keele Hall, which was organised by Sanja founder, Pritpal Singh Nagi.

Sanja supports local causes in Staffordshire and chose The Peter Pan Nursery – based in Newcastle under Lyme – as the recipient of its seventh annual ball after hearing about the vital support it provides to children with special needs and their families/carers.

A wealth of live entertainment included Bollywood dance acts and and an appearance from reggae DJ and four-time Brit Award nominee Apache Indian.

An auction and silent auction were also held.
 
Sophia Baker, head of fundraising at The Peter Pan Nursery, said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the show of support, not only from Pritpal, Ruby and the rest of the Sanja committee, but also from the local community, who really came together to make the event an unforgettable one.