Baumatic
Takes to the Skies for Charity
Staff
at Reading-based appliance manufacturer Baumatic
will quite literally go to any lengths to raise funds for a charity that
is very close to their hearts.
Five plucky Baumatic staff strapped on their parachutes and took to the
skies in order to perform a sponsored parachute jump in aid of the Meningitis
Research Foundation - a charity which aims to achieve a world free from
meningitis and septicaemia.
The jump took place on August 21st at RAF Weston-on-the-Green in Oxfordshire,
home of the Royal Air Force Sports Parachute Association (RAFSPA) - a
military-run Drop Zone which caters for the needs of the civilian public
during weekends and public holidays.
Each of the Baumatic team that took part (Jenna Cornell, Roxanne Bell,
Amanda Jellicoe and Jenny Charlton all from the service team and Peter
Powell from the spares team) sought independent sponsorship for their
daredevil stunt and achieved £400 each in sponsorship which was
topped up with £50 per 'jumper' from Baumatic itself.
Peter Powell said: ‘Many of the Baumatic staff have been affected
by meningitis in one way or another with colleagues having watched friends
of family suffer with the illness, so we really wanted to raise lots of
money for the cause; but we wanted to do it in style. It was a thrilling,
but nerve-racking experience, but well worthwhile for such an important
charity.’
Left to right: Jenna Cornell, Roxanne Bell, Peter
Powell, Amanda Jellicoe, Jenny Charlton
Zanussi-Electrolux
Washing Machine Rescues Helpers at Alton Castle!
Alton
Castle
is a children’s retreat centre in the heart of Staffordshire. Every
year over 6000 children stay there and experience outdoor activities such
as mountain biking and team games in a safe environment enabling them
to grow in self-esteem, develop communication skills and learn to work
together.
More than a third of the children who stay each year have suffered disadvantages
including disability, abuse or neglect. The majority come from inner city
areas of social and economic deprivation.
‘The team that look after the children do fantastic work, for little
pay, and are always wet, muddy and dirty from the activities.
'Disaster
struck when an essential piece of equipment broke down – our washing
machine! Electrolux came to our rescue, donating one of their top of the
range machines - a Zanussi-Electrolux with the unique Jetsystem which
washes like a power shower! Now we can really whiz through the washing.
'We are delighted and as you can see from the picture so are the Team’
comments Lynda Box, Volunteer Coordinator.
Web: http://www.altoncastle.co.uk
Tel: 08705 950 950
Web: http://www.electrolux.co.uk
Charity
Sponsored Cycle Ride- In Aid of Local Children's Hospice
On
Sunday September 18th 2005, the staff from Crabtree
Kitchens will be cycling the Swans Way and Icknield Way trails
in an effort to raise funds for the Shooting Star Trust.
'The 65km fundraising ride will kick off at Goring where we will join
the Swans Way Bridle route.' explains the company. 'At Bledlow we will
join the Icknield Way Trail as it weaves its way through the Chilterns.
This ancient trade route passes through Princes Risborough and Wendover
before reaching our finish line at Tring.
'Our target is to raise £3000 for this worthy cause - which exists
to help children not expected to live beyond adulthood, and we would love
your support. Please sponsor a Crabtree Kitchens cyclist and help enhance
the quality of life of a terminally ill child and their family. This charity
receives no government support at all and relies on people like us for
funding!'
To make a contribution please contact Alex Crabtree, Crabtree Kitchens
at
020 8392 6955 or email malto:design@crabtreekitchens.co.uk
'We look forward to you supporting us!' says Alex.
Baumatic Embraces Wartime Spirit
Reading-based
kitchen appliance supplier, Baumatic,
took a step back in time in aid of charity recently by taking part in The
Nation's Biggest Thank You. As the public celebrated the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Nation's Biggest Thank You was an event set by the Government to mark the occasion, so Baumatic took up the mantle to mark the auspicious occasion along with many others around the UK on July 10th.
All the managers at Baumatic were asked to donate a prize for the raffle, and the company raised £301.66 by purchasing raffle tickets, badges and by donating £1.00 for dressing down.
Three staff members in particular gave the dressing down theme a real vintage flavour. Two were dressed as land army members, and there was one sapper (soldier). And in true British style the Baumatic offices were decked out with British flags, and red, white and blue balloons.
'The staff had a fantastic day and there was a real buzz in the office as we all got into the spirit of the celebration. Every penny we raised will help current and ex-service men, women and their dependant's in need.
'This may be the nation's last chance to show every veteran our gratitude for 60 years of freedom, and remember those who never made it home,'says Baumatic's managing director Paul Thompson.
'Whirlpool
Warriors' Raise Money for Habitat for Humanity London
Twenty
Whirlpool staff from Croydon and
Paddock Wood formed the 'Whirlpool Warriors' and took to the water like
ducks last month to raise money to help Southwark branch of Habitat for
Humanity, a charitable organisation.
The
Whirlpool Warriors, captained by Sales Director Paul Hollingworth, took
part in the Habitat for Humanity Dragon Boat Challenge held at the Docklands
Sailing and Watersports Centre.
Although the 'Warriors' were new to the sport of rowing, what they lacked
in experience they more than made up for in enthusiasm, and from a slow
start, improved rapidly, and after several gruelling heats, gained a place
in the finals.
The team finished the evening fantastically, earning a well deserved fourth
place, and a 'most improved team of the evening' accolade from the organisers.
The event raised well over £5000 for Habitat for Humanity and the
'Warriors' are already looking forward to the competition next year!
Paul Hollingworth said of the event 'Its great to be able to support Whirlpool's
chosen charity in such an enjoyable way. The event has also proved to
be a superb way to build on our team spirit - I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Maybe some other companies out there would like to try their luck against
us next year?'
About Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-denominational Christian charity dedicated
to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. The charity works around the
world with volunteers from all backgrounds, races and religions to build
homes together with families in need. Habitat for Humanity is active in
more than 90 countries worldwide, including 18 in Europe and central Asia.
For more information on Habitat for Humanity in the UK access http://www.southwarkhfh.org.uk
and http://www.habitaforhumanity.org.uk
or email mailto:info@shfh.org.uk.
About Whirlpool UK
Whirlpool (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of the Whirlpool Corporation, the manufacturer
and marketer of major home appliances. Headquartered in the United States
(Benton Harbor, Michigan), the company has production facilities in 13
countries and markets its products in more than 170 countries.
Whirlpool supports Habitat For Humanity, a charity dedicated to eliminating
poverty housing throughout the world. Since 1999 Whirlpool Corporation
has donated more than 40,000 appliances and in 2003 extended its commitment
into Europe.
http://www.whirlpool.co.uk
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com
West
Midlands based Aqualux has raised
£2000 for Cancer Research UK by taking part in Tesco's Race for
Life.
21 women from the UK manufacturer of bath screens and shower enclosures
took part in the sponsored five kilometre run at Sandwell Valley Park.
The idea to take part started in customer services, who teamed up with
the supply chain office, accounts and the technical department. Aqualux
then extended the team to include family members who wanted to join in.
Jayne Foster, part of the Customer Service department at Aqualux, initially
suggested the idea: 'We wanted to take part in Race for Life because cancer
- particularly breast cancer – is a very real issue for every woman,
and we all know someone who has been affected by the disease.
'We wanted to raise as much money as we could, but we also had a great
day out!'
James Cadman, managing director, said: 'Not only have we raised a considerable
amount of money for breast cancer research, it was great to see such company
team spirit as more and more people took part in the event.'
Tesco Race for Life is in its fourth year, having so far raised £70million
since it started. All of the money raised will help to fund the world’s
leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research.
Tel: 0870 241 6131
Web: http://www.aqualux.co.uk
Childline
Gains Pounds Thanks to Hotpoint Fundraising!
Employees
at Hotpoint in Peterborough have been
taking part in internal fundraising activities for their chosen charity
Childline, to help raise their pledged £50,000. Recent triumphs
include Service Centre Director Cam Picillo's sponsored weight loss programme
and members of the Indesit Company taking part in the London Marathon.
Cam
started the challenge in November 2004 and has now lost a massive 70lbs,
exceeding his target weight loss and raising £250 for the charity.
Another challenge saw four members of staff running 26 miles in the London
Marathon, with donations totalling over £6000, adding to the £20,000
already raised for the charity. One member of the team, Lisa Curran ran
the race in an impressive 5 hours 23 minutes 52 seconds raising £1,700
alone. Other activities have included 13 directors taking part in a gruelling
3-day, 53km long trek in the Scottish Highlands, joining the world's biggest
chorus of 'Happy Birthday' for Childline's 18th Birthday and weekly dress
down days.
Meanwhile, Cam explains his weight loss regime:
'I started the Weight loss on November 17th last year, my weight was 107.6kg
(17 Stone!), I also smoke which meant that I was a heart attack case just
waiting to happen because for my height I was 5 stone over weight!!!
'The way I approached it was to bare my soul to over 450 people in the
Contact Centre every Monday morning with my weight and weight loss per
week, I also displayed it on a no board outside my office, for everyone
including visitors! I tracked this like I do a project and the weight
just fell off! This morning I weighed 74.6KG (11.5 stone) that's a weight
loss of 5.5 stone in approx 6.5 months.
What I don't eat?
Its easy really, no meat, nothing fried, no bread which was my REAL poison,
no cheese.
What I eat now ?
Loads of Veg and Fruit, I keep a fruit bowl full in my office for my hunger
pains, at home if I get hungry I now have a special K and All bran carton
where the bread bin used to be, I mix a bowl with them both, put some
fruit in with it, add skimmed milk and it fills me up.
Other Benefits.?
I have stopped snoring, I can wear my kids clothes, I have stopped falling
asleep by 8-30 pm,I am much calmer, I like to look at myself in the mirror,
I am much more alert, others have lost weight. I also did it for child
line to get more interest and its for a very good cause.'
For further information on Hotpoint call 08701 50 60 70 or visit http://www.hotpoint.co.uk
For further information on ChildLine call Elly Brenchley on 020 7650 3244
or visit http://www.childline.org.uk
ChildLine is the UK's free, 24 hour helpline for children in danger or
distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children
and young people. The number for children to call is 0800 1111
Bemis
Promotes Awareness for Beating Bowel Cancer
Toilet
seat giant, Bemis, is taking the bottom line very seriously with the launch
of its brand new seat the Awareness.
The
Awareness seat is being launched in conjunction with UK charity Beating
Bowel Cancer and a donation from every seat sold will be given to the
charity.
Beating Bowel Cancer's mission is to raise awareness of the symptoms of
bowel cancer and help dispel the embarrassment surrounding bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest killer in the UK, however, if caught
early the disease is usually curable and Bemis hope by promoting the symptoms
on every Awareness seat more lives can be saved.
Tony Leech (pictured), sales director at Bemis, said: ‘We wanted
to start working with a national charity in order to allow us to give
something back. Given the nature of our business Beating Bowel Cancer
seemed the obvious choice especially when you realise just how curable
this cancer is if caught early enough.
‘The Awareness seat is due to be sold in DIY stores across the UK
I am hoping we can raise a really worthwhile amount of money for the charity
and also at the same time increase awareness of bowel cancer.
‘We have included a leaflet on bowel cancer symptoms in every Awareness
box, namely, change of bowel habit, rectal bleeding, unexplained anaemia
(found by your GP), a lump or mass in your tummy (felt by your GP), persistent,
severe abdominal pain, which has recently started - So the message is
don't die of embarrassment - talk to your GP’
For more information on the Bemis Awareness toilet seat contact Tony Leech
on 01282 438717 or for further information on Beating Bowel Cancer visit
http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org
or call 0208 892 5256.
Portway
Goes for Gold at the Marathon
Portway
was a proud supporter of a member of its team, when a Sales Supervisor
from the company's Andover office completed the 26 mile London Marathon
on Sunday 17th April 2005.
Completing the Marathon in an impressive four hours and forty nine minutes,
Sue Stephens, Portway Sales Supervisor, ran in support of the Royal National
lnstitute for the Deaf (RNID). Sue raised an impressive sponsorship, totalling
over £1500. The RNlD campaigns to make life better for deaf and
hard of hearing people and the money raised will help towards information
helplines, services and research.
John Bainbridge, Portway Commercial Director comments: 'lt is a tremendous
achievement for Sue to complete the Marathon in such a quick time. We
feel it is important to support our staff members in such challenges,
especially when it is for such a worthwhile charity. Sue is a key member
of the team and we look forward to supporting her in her attempt to run
next year's Marathon in under four hours!'
Call Portway on 01264 334596