Deloitte goes to bat for city’s future

MORE than 60 students from eight schools across Greater Birmingham took part in the inaugural Deloitte Community Cricket event at Edgbaston.

Developed alongside the Warwickshire Cricket Board, and in conjunction with Saltley Academy, the event was created to bring together children from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds over a shared love of the sport. The organisers’ hope is that the experience will foster a better understanding of, and in turn promote, the diverse communities within the city. 
 
With each eight-a-side team including one child from each of the participating schools, the event started with practice sessions at the nets followed by a five-hour tournament, umpired by members of the Warwickshire Cricket Board (WCB).

Also in attendance were cricketers Moeen Ali and Sian Kelly.
 
Dom Wong, partner at Deloitte in the Midlands and lead on the firm’s corporate responsibility programme in the region, said: “Birmingham is a vibrant and ethnically-diverse city which continues to gain momentum especially in terms of attracting tourism, talent and business investment.

“However, despite all of the good news, there remain areas of significant deprivation across the city and some widespread misconceptions from those looking in on cultural and socio-economic divides.
 
“It was a fantastic day and really inspiring to see students from the different schools working so well together. It just goes to show that there are no barriers between children, only those that we impose on them.”

KPMG announces support for St Basils

THE Birmingham office of accountancy firm KPMG has chosen St Basils as one of its charities for 2015.

St Basils is a Midlands-based charity that aims to prevent youth homelessness by providing support and accommodation. Such a mission ties in with KPMG’s commitment to encourage social mobility and improve young people’s life chances.

KPMG will be supporting St Basils in two ways: the 1,000-plus staff in its Birmingham office will have chance to take part in various fundraising and mentoring activities, but KPMG will also provide some pro bono services to help St Basils improve and grow its business model.

Andy Argyle, partner at KPMG, said: “We asked our staff which charity they wanted to support and St Basils clearly struck a chord. Not only is it a local charity, but it’s one with a very positive message – helping young people successfully break the cycle of homelessness and look forward to a bright future.

“We’ll be supporting St Basils throughout the year and hope that our contribution will enable even more young people to fulfil their aspirations.”

Restaurateur rewarded for charity work

A MIDLANDS restaurateur has been presented with a business award for his community charity work.

Majidul ‘Mintu’ Choudhury, owner of Café Tamarinds in Balsall Common, won the award for community excellence at the British Bangladeshi Business Awards held in Birmingham.

Through the restaurant, Mintu has raised thousands of pounds for charities such as Children in Need, Acorns, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Bangladesh Diabetic Hospital.

He said: “It was a great honour to receive this award especially as the other competitors were so impressive.

“The customers of Café Tamarinds have always been exceedingly generous and through our events we have been able to raise much-needed funds for charity.”

Homebuilder supports sea cadets

THE Coventry Sea Cadets have a new front gate and border fencing thanks to work carried out by homebuilder David Wilson Homes Mercia, which is building a new homes development called Copsewood, just next door on Crescent Avenue.
 
The front sliding gate was in need of refurbishment whilst the new fence has provided the sea cadets with a clear perimeter within which they can perform activities and training and practise their routines.
 
The Coventry Sea Cadets, modelled on the Royal Navy, has more than 90 male and female cadets aged ten to 18 years old and represents Coventry in competitions both ashore and afloat around the UK whilst also supporting ceremonial and charitable events such as Remembrance Sunday and Armistice parades.
 
Lieutenant Steve Warwick, commanding officer of Coventry Sea Cadets said; “David Wilson Homes purchased the land surrounding our headquarters and they very kindly erected fencing around our perimeter and refurbished our large front sliding gate.
 
“The work done will enhance our ability to perform training activities and provide easier access to the building.”