Young blood wanted for Midlands Round Table group

Young men in Wolverhampton are being urged to sign up for the area’s Round Table group to ensure it can continue its vital community work.

Tettenhall Round Table chairman Shiv Passap wants to double the number of people involved in the group and is appealing to young men who may not realise what the group has to offer.

He said joining up offered men as young as 18 a great opportunity to gain life skills and give back to the local community.

“Once our members get to 45 they move on, so it’s vital that we get new, younger members in to make sure the club can keep going,” he said.

“We have 13 members at the moment and we would love to get that up to around 25. We need young blood to ensure the future of the club. Young men might not be aware that it’s something they can get involved in, but it gives them a brilliant chance to get so much life experience.

“I want to give new members the chance to make their mark and take responsibility for events and activities. It helps them grow in character and in confidence and gives them skills that are invaluable in other areas of their lives.”

The group raises funds to help charities and good causes in the area and alo stages regular community events, such as the hugely-popular Tettenhall Fete that attracted hundreds of people in July, and the annual Santa Sleigh Runs in December.

Shiv, a 38-year-old father-of-two, added: “I am Tettenhall born and bred; I love Wolverhampton and it’s so rewarding to help the local community through this group. We do raise money, but we are also about doing things for the community. When I see the smiles and the genuine excitement on people’s faces when we do things like the sleigh run, there is no better feeling.”

This year a new event is being held at Halloween – the Nightmare Before Christmas sleigh run – where the sleigh will be decorated and members will be in costume as they travel round the streets of the area.

At this year’s Tettenhall Fete, the group handed over £1,000 to the Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre and it has also funded two defibrillators in the Tettenhall area.

Shiv said: “We are always looking for local charities and good causes to support; we are particularly interested in helping those with a link to mental health as that is so important.”

As well as helping the community, the club also offers a safe space for men to get together and enjoy a whole host of social activities.

Shiv, director of telecommunications company BTT, said members pay an annual fee of just under £100 and a monthly fee of £30. The regular social events include paintballing, go karting, comedy club visits, cocktail masterclasses, cooking class and much more.

There are also weekends away and an annual ’mystery international’ where the outgoing chairman arranges an overseas trip but members don’t know where they’re going until the day. They are hoping that will be able to return next year.

Once members get to 45, they can move on to the 41 Club. Women can join the affiliated Ladies Circle, or Tangent, for those over 45.

Anyone interested in joining, or who knows of a charity or good cause that could benefit, should call 01902 907497 or email info@tettenhallroundtable.co.uk

1 –  From Left to Right, Arun Photay – fete Chairman, Paul Thompson – Round Table National President, Jon Coss – Membership Chairman, Shiv Passap – Tettenhall Roundtable Chairman, at Tettenhall Fete 2021

2 – From Left to Right, Dave Owen, Rob Buka, James Parker [Rear]. James Stubbings [Rear], Richard Holland [Front], Shiv Passap, Rich Hudson Smith enjoy outdoor Laser Combat at Cosford

3 –  From Left to Right, Akash Passap, Wayne Lowery, Shiv Passap, Jon Coss, James Aston, Rich Bladon, Rob Buka, Shaun Walmsley take part in an axe and knife throwing activity

4 – Halloween event poster

5 – Round Table members and supporters at the Tettenhall Sleigh Pull