Tag Archives: charity

Charity, Charity News, Midlands, Transport

Veezu offers free rides to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving crew

Veezu has renewed their partnership with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, offering a vital service to its advanced pre-hospital emergency service.

Formerly known as Go Carz and A2B Radio Cars in the region, Veezu has set up an account for the air ambulance crew, offering a free taxi service for them to get back from hospital when they have travelled by land ambulance or if the aircraft has needed to return due to nighttime and low visibility.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity operates and funds three air ambulances and a fleet of critical care cars covering six Midlands counties: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. It’s vital pre-hospital emergency service responds to some of the most traumatic incidents such as cardiac arrests, heart attacks and strokes.

Each year, it costs between £13-14 million to maintain its clinical operations, where the charity relies solely on the support of local people and organisations to fund future lifesaving missions.

They have recently opened a new base in Shifnal that will allow them to host more members of staff, events, and educational visits. Veezu will be helping to make travel to and from the base more accessible with QR code displays providing an easy booking service.

The account, which was set up last year following a cash donation, has provided a vital service to the crew of critical care paramedics and doctors.

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Veezu has been supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for a number of years, providing valuable financial and pro bono support.

“On occasion, our aircraft need to return to base due to nighttime flying restrictions, leaving our crew stranded at major trauma centres across the Midlands. Veezu provides a free taxi service to ensure the crew can return to base once their patient handover is complete. As you can imagine, this not only provides our crew with peace of mind but also saves the charity a lot of money. We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”

Graham Hoof, regional operations director of Veezu in the Midlands, said: “We’re always happy to offer cash donations to charities but in this case, we thought we could offer something that was of tangible benefit to the charity.

“The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity account has proved useful to its crew over the last year, so it was a no brainer to renew the partnership. We’re so happy we’ve been able to help its team of highly skilled clinicians in instances where they have travelled to hospital via land ambulance or are unable to travel by via aircraft due to poor visibility. After a long shift, especially one where you’ve helped save lives, the last thing you need is to worry about how you’re getting home. “

News

Embridge Consulting and Unit4 partner with Concern Worldwide to deliver integrated ERP solution

Embridge Consulting and Unit4 have teamed up with Concern Worldwide to deliver a cutting-edge ERP solution. This partnership aims to streamline operations and enhance aid distribution for millions affected by extreme poverty worldwide.

Key Points:

  • Concern Worldwide, a leading humanitarian organisation, has enlisted Embridge Consulting and Unit4 to upgrade its finance and aid distribution systems.
  • The project will implement Unit4 ERP, providing Concern Worldwide with intuitive, cost-effective tools to optimize operations.
  • Quotes from Steve Haines (Embridge Consulting) and Jonny Bryan (Unit4) underscore the significance of this partnership and its potential impact.

About the Companies:

  • Embridge Consulting: Renowned for impactful digital transformation, providing strategic advice for successful outcomes.
  • Unit4: A leader in enterprise resource planning solutions, empowering mid-market organisations worldwide.
Charity & CSR, News

B-engineering Group’s support puts Standing Tall Foundation on a high

A charity led by a former soldier who is a triple amputee has received a major boost from Warrington-based building services company B-engineering Group.

The Standing Tall Foundation in St Helens is converting a four-bedroomed terraced property in the town into a house of multiple occupation for armed forces veterans in need.

B-engineering Group is providing equipment including a boiler, bathrooms, showers and solar panels to help refurbish the house after choosing Standing Tall as one of its charities of the year and signing up to be an affiliate partner.

The company is pledging further support for the charity during the course of 2024, including undertaking fundraising.

Managing director Rob Ditchfield said: “As a company we’ve signed the Armed Forces Covenant and we like to support veterans and their families whenever we can.

“We have a number of veterans in our team, and they have all been welcome additions to the staff due to their great attitude and work ethic.

“Some of our team know Andy and he’s an inspirational person, so when the opportunity arose to support Standing Tall, it seemed a really good fit for us. We’re really pleased to be able to support the charity in its work.”

The charity, founded in 2020 by Andy and John Tabern, offers support and programmes for veterans and disadvantaged community groups to promote mental health and wellbeing. Its services include mental health counselling, addiction support, physical activity sessions and holistic therapies such as meditation, hypnotherapy and auricular acupuncture.

It also helps people with accommodation or employment needs and those in financial hardship, including the homeless, via the provision of grants, items and services.

In 2009, Andy was serving in Helmand Province in Afghanistan as a corporal in the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment when he stood on an improvised explosive device while on patrol. He lost his legs and right arm in the blast.

Andy, who holds an MBE for his charity work, said: “It’s fantastic to receive the support from B-engineering Group, whose backing means we can provide a much-needed house in St Helens to support veterans.

“We’re delighted to have the company on board as an affiliate partner of the Standing Tall Foundation. It will be a great asset to our current partner stable, and the services it provides are invaluable for what we are trying to achieve with our accommodation.”

B-engineering Group is a family business which was founded in 1990 by Rob’s father Bernard. It employs more than 50 staff.

The company designs, installs and maintains heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical and energy systems and solar PV panels in premises across sectors ranging from education, healthcare, leisure and hospitality to manufacturing, retailing, construction and nuclear. It is a specialist in decarbonising commercial properties and estates.

Under its B-Kind initiative, the company has helped numerous charities over the years by raising thousands of pounds, donating items and providing hundreds of employee hours of assistance.

Last year, it supported a range of good causes, including St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington, sports teams and food banks.

Rob said: “We are a purpose-led business and like to do our bit to help make the world a better place.”

Charlotte Howard, senior events manager at St Rocco’s, said: “St Rocco’s Hospice is a local charity and we rely on the generosity of the Warrington community for most of our funding.

“The support from B-engineering Group during our recent Christmas Tree Collection event was invaluable. Staff gave up their time to help us collect and recycle over 2,600 trees from homes across Warrington.

“With their support, we were able to raise over £40,000 for the hospice which will go straight to caring for patients and their loved ones.”

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, Charity, Charity News, Driving, News, Transport

Veezu donates £11k to Childline Cymru

VEEZU, Wales’ leading private hire technology platform, has donated £10,989 to NSPCC Cymru following a month’s fundraising activity. 

 

Veezu donated a portion of its margin from more than 100,000 rides in South Wales, booked via its app in December, to cover the expenses of 2,700 calls to Childline during the festive season as part of its Funded by Veezu program. 

 

Funded by Veezu offers residents, charities and sports teams the opportunity to apply for funding and grants to help support them with their local community initiatives. 

 

NSPCC Cymru provides support to children, families and professionals in caring for their children and providing therapeutic assistance to help children move on from abuse. Childline is a free service for children and young people in need of support or advice who delivered an average of 16,300 counselling sessions a month last year. 

 

This is not the first time that Veezu is supporting NSPCC Cymru, as they annually donate to the charity through their Childline Club Cymru membership. 

 

Hywel Peterson, Chairman at NSPCC Cymru, said: “We’re incredibly thankful for Veezu’s generous donation. It will make us make a big difference and help us ensure that our trained volunteer counsellors can be there for every child across Wales, whenever they need us most.  

 

Nathan Bowles, CEO at Veezu, said: “We are delighted to have raised so much for NSPCC Cymru. Their work is of incredible importance and is one that we admire so highly here at Veezu. I feel privileged to be able to contribute to their life-changing work.” 

 

Charity & CSR, Finance and Banking, News

First Response Finance Raises Over £76k for Charity in 2023

First Response Finance, the vehicle finance company with offices in Nottingham, Leigh, and Glasgow, donated a total of £76,323.18 to charity in 2023. 

The business regularly raises money for Trussell Trust, a charity that supports a network of food banks, and Magic Breakfast, an organisation that provides children in need with nutritious breakfasts. Last year alone, First Response Finance collected an impressive £63,590.64 in aid of these two specific charities. 

An additional £12,732.54 was raised by the company’s employees, with First Response Finance’s staff donating to a wide range of charities across the country and the local community. Some of these included the British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Derby County Community Trust, MNDA, Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs UK, Lancashire Guinea Pig Rescue, and Roxburghe House Hospice. 

Jonathan Such, head of sales at First Response Finance, said: “We value the crucial role that charities play in supporting people from all backgrounds and walks of life. That’s why we strive to raise as much as we can during the year to help charitable organisations deliver the best care they can. 

“Quite honestly, we wouldn’t have been able to accumulate more than £76,000 over the course of 2023 without the outpouring generosity of our people. 

“Any money that our employees raise in aid of their chosen charity is matched by First Response Finance, and that same amount is given to our company charities. This means that, thanks to our matching scheme, a total of £21,624.68 was devolved to Trussell Trust and Magic Breakfast.” 

Over the year, members of staff were actively involved in additional charity work, such as participating in the Dunelm ‘Delivery Joy’ campaign, volunteering at Emmanuel House Centre, and collecting donations for Long Eaton and Sawley Foodbank. 

One team member is the chairman of Sherwood Seals Swimming Club, a special swimming club set up for disabled children and young adults. Likewise, another employee volunteers as a trustee at Guru Nanak’s Mission, a non-profit organisation providing food to the homeless, rough sleepers, and vulnerable people in Nottingham. 

Such added: “It’s heartwarming to see that colleagues across the business have a huge impact on the lives of so many. 

“To help our people in their charity efforts, we offer each employee one charity day per year, allowing them to take a day off to support a non-profit organisation of their choice. 

“We also have a ‘give as you earn’ scheme in place, where members of staff can have money donated directly from their pay to their desired charity. 

“In 2024, we will keep supporting several worthy causes and continue to devolve money to charities with the help of our people.” 

For more information about First Response Finance, visit firstresponsefinance.co.uk. 

News

Glitz and Giving: Cheltenham’s Elegant Ball Dazzles Raising £11,000 for Charity

The Grand Coronation Ball Committee has raised £11,000 after hosting a highly prestigious ball at the Queens Hotel on 3rd February, attended by over 120 of Cheltenham and Gloucestershire’s most esteemed business leaders and their partners.

Proceeds from the Grand Coronation Ball will be split between Linc Charity, a Cheltenham charity dedicated to supporting blood cancer patients and their families across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and South Worcestershire, and FISHAC (Friends of Imperial Square, Heritage and Conservation).

The funds will help Linc Charity continue its critical work in providing emotional and financial support for people receiving intensive chemotherapy. FISHAC will use the donation to help with plans to reinstate new railings and entrances around Imperial Square Gardens, Cheltenham, after they were removed 83 years ago to create armaments as part of the war effort at that time.

Louise Neal, CEO of Linc Charity, said: “We would like to thank the Grand Coronation Ball Committee, including the Trustees of FISHAC, Linc Charity, Frank Smith & Co Solicitors, HeadOn PR and The Queens Hotel, who all worked tirelessly for free to make the ball such a success. Linc Charity commemorates 25 Years this year of support for local blood cancer patients and their families so what better way to celebrate than to be involved in such a wonderful, generous and glamorous event.”

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from local businesses and individuals in helping the ball’s remarkable triumph,” added Bob Keevil, Chairman at Friends of Imperial Square Heritage and Conservation (FISHAC). “So many volunteered their time and assistance. Nicholas Granger of British Bespoke Auctions did a grand job of hosting the auction and getting the guests bidding so generously, and The Queen’s Hotel kindly donated the use of its splendid Regency Suite, making the Ball such an elegant affair.”

For further information on Linc Charity or to donate visit https://www.lincfund.org/get-involved/donate-to-linc/make-a-donation/

Bereavement, Business, Business News, Charity News, Wales News

2wish Cymru revealed as chosen charity for Wales Business Awards 2024

Bereavement support charity 2wish Cymru has been announced as the chosen charity for this year’s Wales Business Awards.

2wish Cymru was founded by its CEO Rhian Mannings in 2012 in memory of her son George and husband Paul. The charity provides immediate and ongoing support to families, individuals and professionals that have been affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult aged 25 and under.

2wish Cymru aims to ensure that every emergency department in Wales has a suitable bereavement suite for families, that memory boxes are available for families at each hospital and that immediate bereavement support is available for suddenly bereaved families. The charity offers counselling, complementary therapy and play therapy to those it supports.

2wish Cymru primarily operates in Wales but has recently expanded its service into England.

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid will be raising awareness of the charity’s work and fundraising for 2wish Cymru during the Wales Business Awards ceremony in May.

The event, which celebrates the best of Welsh business, takes place on 16 May at The Vale Resort, with broadcaster Andrea Byrne returning as host. Businesses have until 29 February to enter the awards.

Rhian Mannings, CEO of 2wish Cymru, said: “When a family loses a child or young adult suddenly, the effects are devastating for all who knew and loved them. Our charity’s mission is to ensure that all those affected receive the bereavement support they deserve; it’s essential that bereaved families know that they are not alone in what can be an extremely distressing and isolating time.

“We are very grateful to have been selected as the charity for this year’s Wales Business Awards. We are excited to meet the finalists, winners and businesses in attendance at the ceremony to share our message, create connections and highlight opportunities to get involved with our work.”

Paul Butterworth, CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “We are delighted to be supporting 2wish Cymru as our chosen charity for the Wales Business Awards this year. We are looking forward to encouraging the Welsh business community to get involved with our fundraising efforts during the ceremony, in addition to shining a spotlight on 2wish Cymru’s incredibly important work here in Wales.”

For further information on 2wish Cymru, visit https://www.2wish.org.uk/.

For further information on the Wales Business Awards, including how to enter, visit https://cw-seswm.com/events/awards-2024-enter/

Business News, Charity News

Swansea Building Society Continues Commitment to Maggie’s Swansea 

In a noteworthy announcement, Swansea Building Society has confirmed the continuation of its ongoing partnership with Maggie’s Swansea for the third consecutive year. The decision, met with resounding endorsement from the Society’s staff, emphasises their steadfast dedication to supporting the essential services provided by Maggie’s Swansea. 

Over the past two years, Swansea Building Society has exemplified its commitment through a diverse array of successful fundraising activities. From dress-down days and customer refreshment services to raffles, sponsored dog walks, open water swimming, and participation in the Swansea Half Marathon, these initiatives have collectively raised an impressive cumulative total exceeding £60,000. 

The Society was also the headline sponsor of Maggie’s annual ball two years running, as well as its highly successful inaugural Christmas Extravaganza, held in December 2023.

This substantial financial support has played a crucial role in empowering Maggie’s Swansea to deliver its essential services and support to those navigating the challenges of cancer.

Located at Singleton Hospital, Maggie’s Swansea provides free practical, emotional, and social support to people with cancer, as well as their families and friends. The centre works in collaboration with conventional cancer therapies, offering a caring environment to provide support, information, and practical advice. This includes financial and benefits advice, support with treatment decisions, and access to other cancer services. In addition, Maggie’s Swansea also provides nutrition workshops, complementary therapies, and other services.

Building on its successful fundraising over the last two years, Swansea Building Society is determined to continue to raise as much as possible in its last year supporting Maggie’s and make an even greater impact in the lives of those dealing with cancer during 2024.

It has many fundraising events already in the calendar, including a mutt strutt (sponsored dog walk), dip a day, Swansea half marathon, Long Course triathlon, cycling the length of Wales, and climbing the Welsh three peaks challenge. The Society will also be sponsoring Maggie’s Annual Ball in October and it’s second Christmas Extravaganza in December.

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

“Our commitment to supporting local communities is at the heart of everything we do. We are delighted to continue our support for Maggie’s Swansea and look forward to making a positive difference to those who need it most.”

Lucia Osmond, Centre Fundraising Manager at Maggie’s Swansea, added:

“We are extremely thankful to Swansea Building Society for choosing Maggie’s Swansea as its official staff charity for the third consecutive year. The support of the Society and its staff means so much to us, and we have been inspired by their generosity and commitment to our cause.”

As the collaboration enters its third year, Swansea Building Society and Maggie’s Swansea anticipate another successful partnership, making a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by cancer.

News, Technology

Egress and Make-A-Wish UK announce pioneering tech partnership to scale the charity’s impact

Leading cybersecurity firm Egress has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Make-A-Wish UK, a non-profit organization granting lifechanging wishes to critically ill children in the UK. The year-long collaboration aims to leverage technology to enhance the charity’s capabilities and further their impact. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Egress becomes the first-ever tech partner for the esteemed charity. 

As part of the initiative, Egress has donated 23 computers to the Make-A-Wish UK team to help them process and organize more wishes. Egress is also providing essential tech skills to empower Make-A-Wish UK in scaling their technological infrastructure.  

An additional feature of the tech partnership involves providing technical guidance and consultation for Make-A-Wish UK ‘s team to ensure they are utilizing the best technology for their requirements. This education-centric approach underscores Egress’ commitment to fostering a sustainable, long-term impact through knowledge transfer. 

Make-A-Wish UK is known for its dedication to creating life-changing experiences for children battling critical illnesses, bringing them joy and empowering them to fight their conditions with renewed strength. With Egress joining as a tech partner, the charity will gain access to cutting-edge technological solutions and expertise to streamline their processes and amplify their impact. 

Tony Pepper, CEO at Egress, comments: 

“Every child deserves the chance to experience joy and hope, and fulfill their dreams, and Make-A-Wish UK embodies this completely. By partnering with Make-A-Wish UK, Egress has the opportunity to combine our world-class technical capabilities with their remarkable vision, making a lasting difference in the lives of these courageous children.  

“We’ll be announcing details of further tech initiatives throughout the year and we’re looking forward to using skills from across our company to help the incomparably dedicated Make-A-Wish UK team.” 

Sarah Watson, Director of Finance and Technology at Make-A-Wish UK, comments: 

“We are truly excited about this collaboration with Egress and Make-A-Wish UK. Their commitment to our cause and their team’s technical capabilities will undoubtedly propel us forward, enabling us to grant even more wishes and bring happiness to the lives of children who need it most. 

“If we can make the process of applying for a wish as simple as possible for families with critically ill children by improving our tech capabilities, the tech partnership will be a great success, and I have no doubt that Egress will deliver.”