Lodders keeps on running for Stratford 10k race

MIDLANDS law firm Lodders has confirmed it is to sponsor the Stratford-upon-Avon Big 10k race for the sixth consecutive year.
 
The Big 10k will take place on Sunday 13th September and organisers expect around 1,500 runners will take part.
 
Charity partner of the Stratford 10k this year is Shipston Nursing Home, which was founded in 1997. It is run by a team of qualified nurses specialising in palliative care who look after terminally ill people in their homes across rural South Warwickshire.
 
Not only is Lodders providing vital financial support for the Big 10k event, it is also fielding a team of runners from its Stratford office, which will be led by Steven Baker, partner in the firm’s real estate team, who said:
 
He said: “Fourteen members of staff took part in the Big 10k in 2014, and our target is to beat this number this September.
 
“The Big 10k is an important feature of Stratford’s annual events calendar, and Lodders is delighted to take a lead role once again in 2015 as a main sponsor of the event.
 
“Team Lodders will be represented both on and off the field, with many staff taking on the very important role of refreshments providers, handing out water and bananas, as well as T-shirts, as runners cross the finishing line.”
 
 

100 up for PR firm Advent

A PR company is helping to bring a ray of sunlight to communities across the region after lending its backing to a new campaign.

Advent Communications, which is based at Electric Wharf in Coventry, has become one of the founding members of the Heart of England Community Foundation’s 100 Club.

The foundation is the region’s largest grant-giving organisation and manages a range of funds – from large businesses to individuals – and distributes the money to groups that make a positive impact in their area.

The Heart of England Community Foundation launched the new 100 Club alongside the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to give up to 100 small and medium-sized businesses the chance to contribute £1,000 to local good causes.

Adam Dent, managing director of Advent Communications, said: “We know all about the great causes that the Heart of England Community Foundation help across the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire area.

“The grants can often be relatively small but they make a big difference to the community – whether it’s a sports team, a community event or a social activity for older people, they always have a positive impact.

“We are proud to be supporting the 100 Club and it would be great to see more firms across the area giving their backing too.”

Tina Costello, director of the Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “It’s great to have this level of support. We know many companies out there want to contribute to the local community and the 100 Club means SMEs can help to make a big difference to their area.”

Best foot forward for University of Warwick runners

AROUND 120 runners associated with the University of Warwick shone like beacons among the thousands of runners taking part in the Two Castles Run.

The group, wearing bright orange T-shirts, has so far collected £9,650 to raise funds and awareness of cancer research, research into premature birth and research by the University of Warwick into recurrent miscarriage.

Among the university team were runners taking part on behalf of the Grace Research Fund which supports research into the causes of premature births and the best forms of neo-natal care at the University Hospital and the University of Warwick who raised £2,500 for the Coventry and Warwickshire-based charity.

TeamWarwickUni was the third fastest team overall thanks to the speedy running of its fastest four runners – Phil Gaydon, Samik Datta, Nathaniel Tkacz and Cara Smith.

Still wearing their orange T-shirts, the runners went from the finishing line at Kenilworth Castle to the home of Dr Andy Coe, consultant paediatrician at University Hospital, for a celebratory drink.

UK Mail raise £105,000 for children’s charity

COVENTRY-based plc UK Mail has raised £105,000 for the NSPCC, which supports children throughout the UK.

UK Mail employees have supported the partnership by fundraising through various activities, such as sky dives, bike rides and half marathons, or smaller fund raisers such as dress down days and cake sales.

To help maximise donations, the company encouraged employees to fund raise and then matched the funds employees raised. UK Mail also introduced a payroll lottery initiative, which provides the charity with a monthly donation and gives employees the chance to win extra income each month.

Kirsty White, NSPCC fundraising manager, said: “As a company we’re overwhelmed at the amount UK Mail has raised during this corporate partnership.
“The company set itself a steep target and thanks to the dedication and hard work of its staff, they’ve managed to smash their target earlier than expected. 

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved, your efforts will help protect a generation of local children.”

Ros Hunt, UK Mail marketing director, said “We are delighted to have exceeded our fundraising target and it takes great pleasure to know that our donations will help improve the lives of vulnerable children across the UK.”