REI helps youth charity with rent-free expansion deal

REAL Estate Investors, the Birmingham-based property group, has further cemented links with youth charity UpRising.
 
The UK-wide leadership development organisation has moved into units within REI’s offices at 102 Colmore Row in the city centre. 
 
Ian Clark, senior asset manager, said: “Uprising, previously in a small facility in the building, had inquired about taking more space.
 
“We have moved them into a larger and better suite, rent free as before, paying only the service charge, so as to assist them in their operations. We see this as an important part of our CSR operations – it is a privilege to help them.”
 
UpRising works with those from diverse and under-represented backgrounds, seeking to equip them with the knowledge, networks, skills, and confidence to fulfil leadership potential, find new opportunities and transform the world around them through social action.
 
Targeted on 16-25 year olds, the organisation’s flagship offer is a nine month leadership programme providing ‘access behind the scenes’ training sessions with some of the UK’s most senior leaders across the political, private, public and not for profit sectors. 
 

Legal team backs cricket club’s spring clean

STAFF from a Wolverhampton law firm have ditched their desks and picked up their paintbrushes to help spruce up the city’s cricket ground this month ahead of a high profile international match.

Volunteers from FBC Manby Bowdler have got behind the three-day Wolverhampton Cricket Club NatWest Cricket Force weekend – which takes place from today until Sunday –  to give the Tettenhall ground a new look.

Work included painting the scoreboard box walls, painting sight screens, painting fencing and gates, staining benches, washing down the boundary fencing and cleaning up the pavilion. 

The club has a special incentive to get the ground looking its best for the forthcoming season as it is due to host an international England v India 40-over game with visually impaired players on May 25.

James Sage, a partner and head of corporate at FBC Manby Bowdler, said: “This will be the third year staff have volunteered to take part in the Cricket Force weekend and they looked forward to transforming the club.”

Coats with notes bring a smile to the homeless

AN innovative charity campaign to support the homeless has been met with an overwhelming response.
 
Job Centre Plus staff from across Birmingham and Solihull and employees from Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) joined forces in a coat amnesty aimed at supporting people who attend a drop in centre at SIFA Fireside in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.
 
Both sets of employees donated coats, jumpers, gloves and other items of clothing no longer worn to help keep people on the streets warm at night.
 
PPDG has steadily built links with a number of homeless organisations over the years through various payroll giving donations and arranging fundraising events.

The ‘Coat with a Note’ campaign is in its second year and forms part of PPDG’s programme of support for the homeless including links with St Basils, the Good Shepherd Ministry in Wolverhampton and Cyrennians in Coventry.

KPMG announces support for Cure Leukaemia

THE Birmingham office of accountancy firm KPMG, has announced its staff will be supporting Cure Leukaemia in 2015.

KPMG has more than 1,000 employees in its Birmingham office and will be offering them the opportunity to be involved in Cure Leukaemia’s various fundraising events throughout the year.

Andy Argyle, partner at KPMG in Birmingham, said: “We are delighted to announce our support for Cure Leukaemia. We are vocal in our backing of Birmingham as a centre for medical excellence, with the life sciences campus being a hub for expertise and employment.

“Our support for Cure Leukaemia feels like a natural progression to being able to practically help fund the search to find a cure for blood cancer.

“With so many great events coming up, our staff are ready and waiting for the fundraising to begin.”