Category Archives: Charity Events

Cancer, Charity Events, Charity News, Events, FInance

Maggie’s and Swansea Building Society Host 5th Anniversary Celebration for Cancer Support in Cardiff

Maggie’s Cancer Charity and Swansea Building Society are collaborating to host a memorable event commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Maggie’s Centre opening in Cardiff. The exciting 5th Birthday Ball will be held on May 17th at Dyffryn Springs near Wenvoe, bringing together supporters and beneficiaries for an evening of reflection and hope.

Swansea Building Society has pledged its support as the event sponsor, continuing its steadfast commitment to Maggie’s as its official charity for the third consecutive year.

Since its inception, Maggie’s Cardiff has provided invaluable support to over a thousand visitors each month, offering practical, emotional, and social assistance to individuals and families navigating the challenges of cancer.

The centre, situated in Velindre Road, Whitchurch, works in harmony with conventional cancer therapies, offering a nurturing environment where visitors can access support, information, and practical advice. From financial and benefits guidance to complementary therapies and nutrition workshops, Maggie’s Cardiff plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for those affected by cancer.

Supporting the charity over recent years, Swansea Building Society has organised a diverse range of successful fundraising activities, including dress-down days, raffles, and sponsored events like dog walks and open water swimming. These initiatives have resulted in an impressive cumulative fundraising total exceeding £60,000, providing vital resources to empower Maggie’s in delivering its essential services.

Richard Miles, Area Manager / Head of Savings & Marketing, Swansea Building Society, said:

“As proud sponsors of Maggie’s for the third consecutive year, Swansea Building Society is honoured to support such a vital cause. Our ongoing commitment to Maggie’s reflects our dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. We are delighted to be part of the 5th Birthday Ball celebration and look forward to continuing our partnership with Maggie’s to ensure their important work can thrive for years to come.”

Rachael Davies, Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s, added:

“We’re incredibly grateful that Swansea Building Society has sponsored our 5th Birthday Ball. Sponsorship of our events is so important, and we can’t thank everyone at Swansea Building Society enough.”

Awards, Charity, Charity Events, Events

Swansea Building Society Supports Child of Wales Awards as Community Champion Award Sponsor

The Child of Wales Awards 2024 has announced Swansea Building Society as the official sponsor of its prestigious Community Champion Award, reaffirming the society’s strong commitment to recognising and celebrating individuals who make extraordinary contributions to their communities.

Scheduled to take place at Swansea Arena on September 27, 2024, the Child of Wales Awards is entering its third year. This event is anticipated to be an emotional, inspirational, and unforgettable affair for all attendees, attracting media personalities, celebrities, sports stars, and international entertainers.

The event will honour and celebrate the achievements of remarkable children and young people across Wales, while raising vital funds for charities dedicated to supporting children across the nation. The Community Champion Award specifically acknowledges individuals whose selfless efforts have made a significant difference in their communities.

Swansea Building Society is an organisation renowned for its own commitment to helping organisations within the local community. Marking its centenary last year, the Society donated well over £100,000 to a variety of community-based charities and organisations as part of its celebrations.

As the Community Champion Award sponsor, Swansea Building Society will play a pivotal role in spotlighting the invaluable contributions of young community heroes throughout Wales, highlighting the importance of recognising and nurturing the efforts of those who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others.

Nominations are now officially open for this year’s highly anticipated event, and the Awards, in partnership with Swansea Building Society, has invited nominations for the Community Champion Award, encouraging individuals to share stories of unsung heroes whose dedication and compassion enrich the lives of those around them.

Visit www.nationalchildrenofwalesawards.org/nomiante-now to view the categories and nominate a remarkable child. Nominations will remain open until June 10, 2024, and judging will begin shortly after. A mixture of representatives from the award sponsors, celebrities, and independent advisors will form the panel that will have to make the difficult decision to pick a winner for each category.

Alun Williams, Chief Executive of Swansea Building Society, said:

“We are honoured to support the Child of Wales Awards and sponsor the Community Champion Award. At Swansea Building Society, we believe in the power of community and the remarkable potential of individuals to create positive change. We look forward to celebrating the incredible achievements of young community champions and inspiring others to follow their lead.”

Blanche Sainsbury, Founder of the Child of Wales Awards, added:

“We are thrilled to have Swansea Building Society onboard as the sponsor for our Community Champion Award. The Society’s dedication to supporting local communities aligns perfectly with the spirit of this award, and we are excited to work together to highlight the inspiring stories of individuals who are making a positive impact.”

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, News, North of England

Heart patient marks milestone with fundraising half marathon

JUST 12 months after heart surgery, Simon Finlay has marked the milestone by running a half marathon in aid of the hospital that saved his life.

It was during screening for a hereditary heart condition his dad has that Simon was diagnosed with a bicuspid valve. Unbeknown to him he’d had the congenital heart defect from birth. Further tests then revealed he also had an aortic aneurysm.

“My jaw hit the table,” Simon said as he recalled the second diagnosis.

Over the course of 18 months the aneurysm grew, and surgical intervention was required.

Simon, development director at Castle Green Homes, said. “I’d thought the bicuspid valve wouldn’t need surgery until I was in my 60s, so when I went for a CT scan and they showed me what the aneurysm looked like and how much it had grown it was a shock.  I understood that I couldn’t live without surgery and that I was in the best hands with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.”

Simon underwent major heart surgery in March last year at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, days before his 46th birthday. Complications during his recovery meant he was readmitted and underwent further surgery to remove a build up of fluid around his heart.

“I felt like I was back at square one, but in the weeks that followed I picked up and was getting stronger and walking more,” he said.

He returned to work just 13 weeks post-surgery. Soon after, Simon decided he’d run the Liverpool Half Marathon in aid of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital on March 17 – his 47th birthday.

By October he’d managed to complete a run 5km without walking.

“Coming from a construction background where we work collaboratively as a team, it was interesting to see the different job roles in the hospital coming together to care for me and the other patients,” Simon, from Meols, Wirral, explained.

“It’s because of what I have been through, the time I have spent at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, experiencing firsthand the miraculous work they do and feeling the love and support from all parts of that amazing hospital that I decided to raise money for the charity,”.

With the support of Castle Green, family and friends, Simon has raised well over his £1,000 target, with more than £3,700 donated to date.

He was joined in the Liverpool Half Marathon by Castle Green colleagues Sam Payne, Sean McBride, Phoebe Hughes and Paul Winrow.

“Castle Green Homes have been fantastic through all aspects of my surgery and recovery, no more so than [chief executive] Gwyn Jones,” Simon added. “Not only was he understanding and empathetic about my situation when I was diagnosed, he also gave me the time I needed to recover with no pressure. When I saw that Castle Green had doubled the funds raised on the Friday before the run with a donation of £1,500 I couldn’t believe it. I was totally blown away!”

Simon completed the Liverpool Half Marathon in 2:13:19. He is already working on bringing his time down ahead of the Chester Half Marathon in May.

Simon said he’d always been a runner but had struggled with a knee injury in recent years.

“I’m fitter now and running better 5km times than I was prior to my surgery, which is purely down to the amount of running I am doing as opposed to the surgery itself,” he said.

Castle Green chief executive Gwyn Jones said: “Simon is a valued member of the team and has shown the same strength of character and determination in handling his health issues as he does in overcoming challenges at work. We were pleased to be able to support his return to work and his fundraising. It’s great to see so many colleagues and contacts have also supported his fundraising.”

To support Simon’s fundraising go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/simon-finlay-1708724419345.

 

Business News, Charity Events

Blue Self Storage Raises £20,000 For Prostate Cancer Charity

LEADING container storage provider blue self storage has raised £20,000 for Prostate Cancer UK, continuing its legacy of supporting charities and the local community.

The landmark has been reached as the firm celebrates the recent opening of its Bridgend operation, and is finalising plans to open a facility at Gloucester.

Dean Daly, Operations Director at blue self storage, said: “Prostate cancer is a huge health concern affecting many men locally and nationally, and we really want to play our part in combating this disease. We feel companies like ours have a duty to support local communities and this is one way that we can do that.

“We believe in the power of giving back, and our commitment to supporting prostate cancer awareness and research reflects our core values.

“Our sadly departed founder Nick Williams established our tradition of supporting causes that will have a meaningful impact on the community. It is an honour to continue his legacy of philanthropy.”

Originally Cardiff Self Storage, the company was founded in 1988 and has been recognised for its ethos to give back to the community that has supported its growth and success. Now, under the new name of blue self storage, the ethos remains as prominent as ever.

In addition to its ongoing efforts for Prostate Cancer UK, blue self storage is committed to supporting a wide range of charities, such as Cerebral Palsy Cymru and City Hospice, and various other local community groups.

blue self storage was the winner of the UK Container Site of the Year 2023, and provides secure self storage facilities at four sites in Cardiff, Bridgend and Tyneside.

Business, Charity Events, Charity News, Events, News from Wales, South Wales, Swansea

Howden official Swansea office opening flanked by rugby star

The official opening of a new Howden office in Swansea was flanked by Welsh rugby legend Tom Shanklin at an event last week, Thursday February 22. 

Howden, the international insurance intermediary group, began trading from the new office in Axis Court, Riverside Business Park, Swansea, last month, with this event marking the official opening of the new location. The office has already welcomed 14 skilled brokers since the beginning of the year, with plans to recruit more talent in the coming months.  

The official opening event saw Tom, who won 70 caps for Wales between 2001 – 2010, share his experiences with Welsh rugby and the British & Irish Lions—an association that aligns with Howden’s headline sponsorship for the upcoming Lion’s tour. 

Guests at the opening event also participated in a raffle in aid of Wales Air Ambulance Charity, with prizes including 4-ball at the Celtic Manor, a £250 Gaucho voucher, and a Fortnum and Mason hamper.  

The creation of an office in Swansea is part of Howden UK & Ireland’s commitment to further strengthen its foothold in the South and West Wales region, providing risk advisory services to businesses. 

On the event, Gary Stevens, Regional Managing Director, said: “Embracing the spirit of Welsh resilience and teamwork, the official opening of our Swansea office alongside rugby icon Tom Shanklin signifies not only our commitment to the region but also our shared values of excellence and community. Just as in rugby, where teamwork and strategy are paramount, at Howden, we are dedicated to working closely with our clients to navigate risks and achieve success together. 

“The swift momentum of our Swansea office speaks volumes, and we’re thrilled to have assembled such a skilled and seasoned team, with more to join in the coming months.” 

 

About Howden  

Howden is a leading global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart.  Founded in 1994, it operates in 50 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, employing 16,000 people and handling $38bn of premium on behalf of clients. 

  

For more information, please visit www.howdengroupholdings.com 

Business News, Charity, Charity Events, Charity News

City Hospice sets exciting new challenge in its 40th year

City Hospice has set a fundraising challenge for businesses and community organisations to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary.

The charity was established in 1984 to provide community palliative care to the people of Cardiff. Over the four decades since its inception, City Hospice’s services have expanded to meet the needs of its patients, families and the wider community.

In addition to home-based specialist palliative care for patients with life-limiting and terminal illnesses, the charity now offers welfare advice, complementary therapies, counselling and bereavement support.

To help City Hospice celebrate its 40th year and continue to care for Cardiff, businesses and community groups are being invited to take part in the 40 Charity Challenge and make a significant impact.

Each business or organisation that takes part in the challenge will be provided with £40, which has kindly been donated by sponsor Hodge Bank. Participants will then have until November to transform their £40 into a minimum of £1600 through creative and innovative fundraising.

An awards lunch will be held at the end of the year to recognise the achievements and fundraising efforts of participating businesses, organisations and community groups.

A number of local businesses including Apple Cardiff, Carter Lauren Construction, CPS Group, Effective Communication, Hilton Hotel, Isla Alexander Estate Agents, Jellyfish, Richard Andrews Architects, Route Media, Space2B at the Maltings, St David’s Centre and Wessex Garages have signed up for the challenge.

Sophie Mear, Office Manager at Space2B at the Maltings, said: “We are delighted to be supporting City Hospice as our charity of the year throughout 2024. Space2B at the Maltings is home to 130 businesses employing some 600 people, so we are only too aware that some of our families, whether tenants, colleagues or suppliers will sadly be affected by cancer or other life-limiting illness.

“We will do as much as we can to raise vital funds through the year, and we will be encouraging our tenants to take part in the 40 Charity Challenge being funded by Hodge Bank. This is what makes The Maltings special; that sense of community, which our late founder Nick Williams OBE always instilled in us from the very beginning. We are very happy to support City Hospice to continue his legacy.”

Nicky Piper, Corporate Partnerships Manager at City Hospice, said: “It is fantastic to see so many businesses already signing up to take on the 40 Charity Challenge in our anniversary year. From bake sales and bingo nights to skydives and team hikes, the fundraising possibilities for this challenge are endless and we can’t wait to see what those taking part decide to do!

“Our work, caring for our patients and families, would not be possible without the support of our local community, businesses and supporters. We hope this challenge provides participants with the opportunity to have fun and be creative, while making a difference to the lives of so many in the city.”

For further information, visit https://www.cityhospice.org.uk/get-involved/40-charity-challenge/

Charity, Charity Events, Charity News, News

Lord’s Taverners Wales raises £26k in charity Christmas lunches

The ever-popular Lord’s Taverners Wales Christmas lunches in December 2023 raised a further £26,000 for the charity.

 

Last December was the 39th year the Christmas lunches have been held in Wales.

 

Held at Cardiff’s Marriott hotel and hosted by well-known Wales comedian Rod Woodward, the two lunches attracted several hundred guests, who helped to raise £26,000 for the youth cricket and disability sports charity.

 

The two events were memorable festive celebrations for the run up to Christmas. Guests were treated to performances from a variety of stars, including comedians Daliso Chaponda, Josh Daniels, Nina Gilligan and Abandoman, as well as magicians El Baldinho, James Hawker, Adam Reeves and musician Jack Chandrinos.

 

The money raised from the event will go towards the charity’s Wicketz, Super 1s and Table Cricket programmes, along with funding sports wheelchairs, sensory and play equipment facilities and minibuses for special needs schools.

 

Andrew Gibson, Chairman of Lord’s Taverners Wales, said: “We were delighted to hold our annual Christmas lunch once again and welcome a host of friendly faces, new and old, to raise important funds for the charity and support our work going into the new year.

 

“I want to extend a huge thank you to all our supporters in 2023 who have helped us reach incredible fundraising targets, and I look forward to our events in 2024, especially our 40th anniversary of these Christmas lunches.”

 

The Lord’s Taverners Wales supports some of the most marginalised and at-risk young people across the country using sport and recreation to build links between communities and encourage groups to play sport together. The charity currently runs its Wicketz programme in Barry, Ely, Llanrumney and Pontypridd.

For more information about the Lord’s Taverners Wales and the support they offer, visit https://www.lordstaverners.org/our-regions/south-wales/

Charity Events, Events, News

Pedal Power: Riders Complete 360KM Charity Bike Ride to Raise £10,000 for Myocarditis UK

Last week, seven intrepid cyclists put pedal to the metal for the annual Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride to raise funds for Myocarditis UK. Riders departed at 6am from the Renaissance St Pancras, London, on Saturday 9th September and arrived at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester on Sunday 10th September circa 5pm. The scenic two-day, 360km bike route took riders through picturesque English villages and countryside plus the hilly Peak District on the second day.

The Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride aims to raise money for charity, with this year’s donations going to Myocarditis UK – a non-profit dedicated to supporting those affected by myocarditis heart inflammation. The Great Hotel Bike Ride first took place in 2015 when a group of hotel industry colleagues decided to raise money for charity and cycle from London to Manchester in time for the start of the Annual Hotel Conference. Following the tragic loss of Neil Bowler in 2018, the ride now continues in his memory and the fundraising event was renamed to the Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride.

To date, the Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride has raised over £40,000 for charities and this year’s goal is to raise £10,000 for Myocarditis UK. Donations can be made via the ride’s Just Giving page. “We’re thrilled to support Myocarditis UK this year,” said Nina Gold, NB-HBR Co-Organiser. “An incredibly important cause and a lesser-known disease, that impacts thousands each year. The funds raised by our riders will help boost critical research into the causes, prevention and cures for myocarditis.”

The Annual Hotel Conference attracts hundreds of leading hotel professionals each year, with conference participants encouraged to support the Neil Bowler Bike Ride by making a donation or cheering on riders as they reach the Manchester finish line.

The Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride is also sponsored this year by Jansons Property, a leading property developer and investor. “We’re proud to support this inspirational event that brings the hotel community together for a good cause,” said Andy Jansons, Founder of Jansons Property. He added, “The riders’ dedication and enthusiasm reflect the spirit of progress and positive change we try to foster in the industry.” Jansons Property made a significant contribution to help cover organising costs and ensure the maximum fundraising impact for Myocarditis UK.

For more information on how to support the Neil Bowler Hotel Bike Ride and Myocarditis UK, visit https://neilbowler-hotelbikeride.com/

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, News

RunThrough Partner with GoFundMe as Official Fundraising Platform with £100 Million 10 Year Fundraising Goal

RunThrough, the UK’s largest and Europe’s fastest growing running events company, has today announced GoFundMe as their Official Fundraising Platform. This strategic partnership will support RunThrough’s ambitious 10-year fundraising goal of a further £100 million being raised for charity by runners taking part in their events.

While growing a portfolio with 200+ events that attract over 200,000 runners annually RunThrough has been dedicated to creating exceptional running experiences for participants across the UK. Since RunThrough’s inception in 2013 a total of £20 million has cumulatively been raised by runners taking part in their events which has helped to support hundreds of charities to carry out their incredible work. With GoFundMe as their Official Fundraising Platform and the organisation’s fundraising prioritisation, RunThrough is confident that its goal of £100 million being raised through its events by 2033 is more than achievable.

GoFundMe is the world’s largest social fundraising platform. Their mission is to help people help each other, in this case through helping runners using their world class product to raise as much money as possible for charities. By leveraging GoFundMe’s platform and expertise, runners participating in RunThrough’s events will have the opportunity to create their own direct to charity fundraisers, encouraging their friends, family, and supporters to donate to their cause.

This newly announced partnership with GoFundMe further bolsters RunThrough’s growing influence in the charity fundraising space having worked alongside Run For Charity in recent years who have helped in reaching the £20 million raised thus far. The addition of the GoFundMe partnership will only serve to enhance the relationship between RunThrough and Run for Charity so that the 10-year £100 million target can be reached.

 

Matt Wood, Co-Founder of RunThrough, said: “We are thrilled to partner with GoFundMe as our official fundraising platform. This partnership will allow us to expand our reach within the charity fundraising sector and provide runners with the best tools to raise as much money as possible for all of these incredible causes. Having already been working so closely with Run For Charity I have been able to get such great insight and feedback on just how important the funds being raised for charities are and how they would not be able to do the work they do without so many inspirational individuals getting out there, running and raising money.”

 

Dina Rickman, Senior Communications and Marketing Director at GoFundMe, said: “ We know GoFundMe is trusted by over 100 million donors worldwide so what better platform to help RunThrough reach their £100 Million goal. We can’t wait to use our fundraising expertise and experience to help people running for charity raise as much money as possible. GoFundMe is the most helpful place on earth; and with the platform growing in popularity with charity fundraisers, this partnership makes perfect sense.”

 

Marc Roby, Chief Executive Officer of Run for Charity, said: “We have been fortunate to work alongside RunThrough for a number of years now, and have seen first hand the fantastic opportunities that their events create for charities. RunThrough events are welcoming for everyone which as a result enables charities to recruit more runners, and therefore, raise more money for the hundreds of incredible causes out there. We are happy to see RunThrough and GoFundMe forming this relationship, as powerful collaborations like this will help us achieve our collective goals of raising more money for important causes.”

 

Runners who wish to Run for Charity and raise money for incredible charitable causes can select which charity they would like to run for when they enter any RunThrough events and will be provided with all the necessary information and guidance on how to set up their own GoFundMe page as well as useful guides and tips on how to maximise their fundraising efforts.

Charity & CSR, Charity Events, Law, Sport

Thames Valley based Blaser Mills Law beat the heat to win the 2023 Jansons Rowing Cup

Local businesses unite and raise over £10,500 for Myocarditis UK

Blaser Mills Law set the fastest time at this year’s Jansons Rowing Cup and secured first place with a winning time of 1:21mins and followed one second behind by Ridge Consulting in the local competition on Wednesday, 14th June 2023 at Dorney Lake in Berkshire. The Jansons Rowing Cup started in 2016 with just a handful of boats crewed by a bunch of enthusiastic local business owners. Today, the sell-out event, has 90+ rowers working in law and architecture through to property and transport.

Andy Jansons, Managing Director of Jansons Property comments: “For the eighth year in a row this event has been a great success, bringing together the local business community to network and fundraise. This year all tickets sold out in advance, and I’m delighted to say that the money raised has gone to Myocarditis UK which reached a major fundraising milestone recently of £1,000.000. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it a fantastic event!”

With 13 teams of rowers taking part, only one could be crowned the winner. Blaser Mills Law declared victory with most improved team being Lewis & Partners. The team securing last place is historically awarded with the Crabbed Oar, this year it was Flourish PR. The Jansons Cup begins with heats followed by semi-finals and lastly the A and B finals to choose the winning teams. The local guests arrived at 12:15pm, with the rowing commencing at 1:15pm and then concluding with a short awards ceremony along with a BBQ in the clubhouse to celebrate the day.

This year’s entrants are from a variety of local and regional businesses including:

  • Berkeley Group Plc
  • Blaser Mills Law
  • DAY Architectural Ltd
  • Evoke Transport
  • Flourish PR
  • Haslams Chartered Surveyors
  • i-Transport
  • Lewis & Partners
  • Lichfields UK
  • Ridge Consulting
  • Savills
  • Savills Hotels
  • Walsingham Planning

 

Hiren Gandhi, Partner at Blaser Mills Law, comments; “We’ve been taking part in Jansons Property Rowing Cup for 5 years. After winning once before 4 years ago, we’re delighted to scoop the Jansons Cup again in 2023. Winning the Cup is a bonus as the main highlight for the team is being able to support Myocarditis UK, and their tireless efforts to raise money for the rare heart condition. Although we are now tired and drained, it has been well worth the effort.”

All funds raised on the day are donated to Myocarditis UK – a charity dedicated to researching the causes, prevention, and cures of this life-threatening heart condition. To donate and to find out more about Myocarditis UK, please visit www.myocarditisuk.com where you can also discover the full events list for 2023.