NoVate unveil latest owl in Big Hoot

NOVATE Direct Legal Solutions has unveiled the latest owl to feature in The Big Hoot art trail in Birmingham.

The owl has been designed by professional children’s book illustrator Adam Pryce, and is based on Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The Big Hoot – which is now under way – features 89 individually designed owls nesting across the city for ten weeks.

The 165cm statues will then be auctioned off with all money raised going to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Derek Larkin from NoVate said: “The Big Hoot is such a colourful, joyous way of raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and we are delighted to be part of this initiative.

“Once our owl has taken roost we intend to have a bit more fun by holding some extra fundraising competitions asking local children to guess the weight of the owl, with the competition launched on social media.

“Meanwhile, colleagues intend to hold owl themed bake off days and other fundraising events over the summer, raising even more money for this very worthy cause.”

Elinor Eustace, deputy director of fundraising at Birmingham Children’s hospital, said: “The Big Hoot will be a fantastic spectacle for Birmingham and we’re delighted to have NoVate involved. The project will ultimately help to raise valuable funds for our hospital and so we are incredibly grateful to have its support.”

Jaguar Land Rover staff back foresting charity

A TEAM of 11 from Jaguar Land Rover’s Roll Dynamics and Control Team based in Gaydon visited woodland charity, the Heart of England Forest, to lend a hand in forest maintenance.

The team, which was the second group to visit the forest after the company’s Castle Bromwich HR team visited previously, helped out at the forest’s Middle Spernal site near Alcester.

Over the course of the day they explored the forest’s natural gems and learnt basic forestry skills and the mission behind the charity. 

Thanks to the team’s efforts, maintenance was carried out on around 600 trees covering an expanse of 1.5 acres – equivalent to 24 tennis courts.

The team project was part of Jaguar Land Rover’s employee volunteering programme which releases employees for up to two days per year to support schools, charities and community groups across the Midlands and Merseyside close to its UK sites. 

Last year, 10,000 employees donated 115,000 hours on volunteering.
The Heart of England Forest was set up in 2003 by the late Felix Dennis of Dennis Publishing, with the long-term aim of planting 13 million new trees across 30,000 acres of new native woodland, stretching from the Forest of Arden to the Vale of Evesham.

Packt Publishing gives its heart to LoveBrum

A PROVIDER of technology and coding eBook and video training , is giving back to the community by supporting local charity LoveBrum to the tune of £50,000.

Birmingham-based Packt Publishing has committed to supporting the charity by covering the cost of its Custard Factory office and two employees, who focus on charity engagement and fundraising.

Dave Maclean, MD of Packt Publishing said: “LoveBrum is a fantastic cause, with a real desire to improve the city in which we live.

“Whilst Packt Publishing operates worldwide, we are proud to be based in Birmingham and I think it’s important that we show this by supporting local causes. LoveBrum is the perfect way to do this; we are part of this movement, which is all about unearthing and supporting hidden gem projects, causes and charities in Birmingham.

“Running a charity can be challenging and LoveBrum has committed to all money raised through individual memberships, events and fundraising activities going straight into the causes pot. This still means they have to find the money to cover running costs and I’m glad that Packt Publishing is in a position to support by providing two salaries and office space.”

PJ Ellis, CEO of LoveBrum, added: “We are extremely grateful to Packt Publishing for the generosity they have shown and the commitment they’ve made to LoveBrum.

“This level of support means that we now have two dedicated members of the team working on charities and causes; helping us to seek them out and support them either financially or in other ways, such as business advice and volunteering.”

Eddisons’ Rachel rises to the challenge

A COMPANY director based in Birmingham has completed a gruelling triathlon in under 13 hours.
 
Rachel Hull, a director of chartered surveyors Eddisons, competed in the UK Ironman in Bolton.
 
She had been training for six months for the event, which involved a 3.8 kilometre swim, a 180 kilometre cycle ride and a marathon in one day – and finished the course in a time of 12 hours 51 minutes. Her efforts saw her finish 12th in the highly competitive 30 -34 age category. 
 
She said: “It was a great experience, although tough at times, with strong winds and rain during the bike leg, but the crowds were incredible – at times you felt as though you were riding a mountain in the Tour de France. Luckily the sun came out for the marathon at the end, which was especially good for the thousands of supporters in Bolton town centre, who really kept you going for those final miles.”
 
Rachel raised more than £1,000 for her chosen charity SCOPE, a national charity supporting disabled people.