Charity: Leeds business district dropping a stitch for African charity; Accountants in training for York 10k; and more

EMPLOYEES from across Wellington Place have been getting together once a week to knit away the Monday blues and create much-needed baby clothes for disadvantaged children in Africa.

MEPC, operator of Wellington Place, originally set up the ‘Knit and Natter’ club as part of a wider project to help foster a community spirit within the city’s business district.  

Dominique Simcox, marketing manager at MEPC, said: “We set up the knitting club with the help of Shulmans and several other firms as a way of having a bit of fun on a Monday. However, when our football pitch manager, Glen Mason, said that he was involved in the Funzi and Bodo Trust, an organisation committed to improving the lives of people in Kenya, and was in fact flying there to administer support work, we knew that we could put our knitting-needles to good use and offer up a very unique care package – a haul of hats, booties and blankets.”

Bev Dalton, Shulmans employee and one of the founding member of the club, added: “I really enjoy meeting up with the Knit and Natter club as it’s a great way of meeting other workers within Wellington Place. Being able to help children in another continent is so rewarding and of course, it’s good to know that our knitted garments will benefit more than just our own loved ones.”

Glen Mason, representative for the Funzi and Bodo Trust, said: “The items that I take with me go a long way in helping the children of Funzi. The charity is relatively small and was only set up ten years ago by a couple from Morley. To receive such support from MEPC, Shulmans and the wider Wellington Place community has been truly inspiring and we hope to continue our working relationship for years to come.”

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A CHARITIES team from JWP Creers really will be running for all when they take part in the York 10K Charity Race on Sunday.

A 12-strong team from the North Yorkshire accountants and business advisers is running to raise funds for York charity, ANTRUK, an acronym for Antibiotic Research UK, a JWPCreers client and nominated charity for 2016, which supports scientists and clinicians researching the development of new bacteria resistant antibiotics.

The JWP Creers team in training for the event are healthcare and medical team partner, Andrew Johnson; charities and not-for-profit manager, Veronica Ridsdale and assistant, Kate Thompson.

Other accountants from the firm taking part are corporate finance team members, Adam Copley, Andrea Whitehead and Nick Barker; audit and accounts team members, Heather Bennett, Francesca Brooks and Matt Clough, tax team member, Laura Train and medical team members, Bryony Penfold and Ryan Taylor.

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ILKLEY-based Wintersgill Associates has announced its dedication to raising funds for an Airedale and Wharfedale autism support group.

The accountancy practice is partnering with AWARE, Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource, to carry out a number of fundraising activities, including tackling the Yorkshire three peaks in September to raise awareness around children and young adults on the autistic spectrum.

Aiming to raise £2,000 for the charity, Wintersgill Associates was inspired to support Ilkley Carnival beneficiary AWARE after hearing about its work in the local community.

The team of business advisors will also be helping with craft activities at an Addingham support group for autistic children, siblings and friends over the summer.

Managing director of Wintersgill Associates, Paul Wintersgill, said: “We are thrilled to be working with such a great cause this year and with some of the Wintersgill team having close links with the organisation it was the natural choice for our fundraising focus. Together with AWARE, we can raise the sort of money that will help make a difference to families who are caring for children and young adults with autism in and around Ilkley.

“It’s a great way to immerse ourselves into the community and we hope other local businesses will support our efforts and get involved too.”

The chartered accountancy practice will continue to support AWARE throughout 2016 by hosting a fundraising event for local enterprises at Ilkley Cinema and participating in team challenges.

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THE Leeds office of law firm Gateley has raised £3,355.53 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Numerous fundraising events were held during a 12-month period ranging from energetic endurance events such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to more relaxed and leisurely events such as the Partners Cocktail Making Event.

The firm raised £1,026 when a team from the office completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

The office showed its energetic nature again when raising £449 by competing in the firm’s Tour de Gateley. This event saw Gateley bring in the exercise bikes and link up six of the firm’s seven English offices, to see which office could complete a race of similar distance to that of the firm’s share price on the day.

William Ballmann, head of Gateley’s Leeds office, said: “I am proud of the office for raising such a fantastic sum of money for an incredible charity. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance does a lot of great work in the region and provides a valuable, life-saving service, and at Gateley we are committed to supporting the communities in which we work.”  

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FOUR Carter Jonas staff members from the company’s Harrogate and Leeds offices competed in the annual JLL Property Triathlon North last month at MediaCity UK in Salford Quays, Manchester.

The triathlon, now in its 10th year, is one of the UK’s largest triathlons, raising more than £1.7m to date for charity. This year’s event was held in memory of Tim Bacon, chairman of Living Ventures who passed away in April.

Clare Davey, Alison Cheetham, Chris Hartnell and Henry Erdozain from Carter Jonas’ energy and commercial divisions competed as individuals to raise money for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Ms Davey said: “The day is not only good for team building and networking within the property industry but funds raised go to a great cause. We will be back next year with the aim to beat our personal best.”