Charitable: Firecracker Ball, Paralympics 2016, Association of Young People with ME

THE annual Firecracker Ball is aiming to reach the £2m mark in its fundraising efforts for Barnardo’s.

It will mark a huge milestone since the children’s charity become the official partner of the Ball.

To date, nearly £1.7m has been raised, so this year it needs to attract £300,000, after last year’s haul of £270,000.

The Firecracker Ball will be held at Rudding Park Hotel on 14 November, with a “Once Upon a Time” theme.

Kirsty Guy, Barnardo’s relationship manager, said: “The Firecracker Ball is a fabulous opportunity to host clients or friends at a truly memorable event. It’s a must for Yorkshire’s leading corporate businesses and entrepreneurs, with many companies and individuals returning year on year.

“The funds raised are helping to make sure Barnardo’s centres across Yorkshire can continue to offer services that are in strong demand by the local community, including a holiday club for children with complex health needs such as physical disabilities, life limiting conditions and learning disabilities.

“It is a tall order to raise more than £300,000 this year but with the generosity of companies and individuals in Yorkshire it is not beyond the realms of possibility.”

The direct beneficiaries of this year’s fundraising will shortly be announced, with Barnardo’s Young Carers services across the region being last year’s beneficiary.

***
LAW firm Irwin Mitchell is sponsoring gold medallist Hannah Cockcroft MBE, as she aims for Rio 2016.

She is a T34 Paralympic wheelchair racer who won two Gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Hannah, who was left with disabilities after suffering two cardiac arrests shortly after her birth, said: “I’m extremely grateful to Irwin Mitchell for the faith they have shown in me by supporting me in the next stage of my Paralympic career.

“Partnering with them is more than just sponsorship though as the firm is really committed to working with people who are fighting to overcome their disabilities and I hope I can play a role in helping inspire others.

“Disability sport is currently more popular than ever and hopefully if I keep doing what I’m doing I can be a role model for people who might be struggling to understand what their aims and ambitions should be.”

Andrea Burke, partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We work with many people who have suffered serious injuries or medical negligence which has left them having to cope with disabilities for the first time.

“It can be incredibly difficult for them to come to terms with their new situation but we have seen how disability sports can really help people in their rehabilitation.

“Hannah is an inspiration to many people with what she has already achieved and how she continues to live her life, and compete professionally, with a tremendous enthusiasm.

“We are very proud to be able to help support Hannah as she seeks further success in the World Championships later this year and hopefully next year in Rio.”

***

FINANCE director of JCT600, Nigel Shaw, is undertaking a huge challenge, which will see him ride and swim more than 6,000 miles.

Mr Shaw has just completed an eight event endurance challenge in aid of Alzheimer’s Society, JCT600’s chosen charity for 2015.

He took part in the JCT600 Dales Spring Classic; the Tour de Yorkshire Sportive; The Fred Whitton Sportive; The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride; The Great North Swim in Lake Windermere; The Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive; The White Rose Classic Sportive; and The Bronte Classic – a total of over 780 miles of cycling with 75,000 feet of climbing.

He is now planning his next feat – to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats in September to raise funds for the Association of Young People with ME (AYME). The mammoth ride will see Nigel cover 1,000 miles in just nine days.

He said: “Every year colleagues at JCT600 choose a nominated charity and I was keen to support this year’s charity, Alzheimer’s Society, but felt I had to do something even more impressive to raise funds than the 640 mile ride around all of the JCT600 dealerships which we undertook in 2014.”

“It’s fantastic that I’ve raised £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society from my endurance challenge, but AYME, which was JCT600’s chosen charity last year, is also a charity that’s close to my heart.

“My daughter has suffered from ME for nearly five years and AYME has been a fantastic support to us – it’s a small charity which depends on donations, so I wanted to raise funds for them too.

“As ever, I’d like to give a big thank you to friends, colleagues and business partners for supporting my fundraising efforts.”