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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/

News

Paul Popham Running Club donates £4k to Popham Kidney Support

Paul Popham Running Club (PPRC) marked a triumphant milestone at its eighth Annual Christmas Awards Night, hosted at Morgans Hotel, Swansea on November 24. This year’s fundraising efforts reached an unprecedented total of £4,330, taking the club’s cumulative total to over £15,000 since its inception in 2016.

The funds raised will be utilised to provide a memorable experience for children and their families battling kidney disease on December 17, 2023, when 50 kidney patients will experience a performance of Aladdin at the Wales Millennium Centre. The Annual Christmas Awards Night showcased the club’s commitment to acknowledging member achievements and also its dedication to raising money for kidney patients across Wales.

Founded in 2016 by sisters Claire and Joanne Popham, Paul Popham Running Club was set up in their father’s honour and homage to his passion for running. Since then, it has evolved into a thriving community with over 150 members of diverse abilities and has raised a total of over £15,000 for Popham Kidney Support.

The club’s inception aimed to promote the physical and emotional well-being of Swansea residents through innovative “Learn2Run” programmes. Initially based on the couch-to-5k principle, these programmes have become instrumental in fostering a love for running among participants, resulting in a dedicated and growing membership base.

Paul Popham Running Club offers a variety of programmes throughout the year, fostering a dynamic and inclusive running community. The club boasts a total of five distinct programmes annually, each tailored to cater to diverse interests and abilities.

Popham Kidney Support, the club’s charitable arm, benefits annually from the club’s fundraising initiatives. Notably, the annual 5k Series, the Swansea Bay Summer 5k, the Where’s Wally Run, and the recently concluded Annual Christmas Awards Night contribute to a collective effort to support kidney-related issues.

 

Claire Popham, Co-Founder of PPRC, expressed her gratitude, saying:

“We are thrilled to see our members’ dedication not only to their running journeys but also to making a positive impact in our community. The funds raised this year will undoubtedly bring joy to the lives of those facing the challenges of kidney disease, aligning perfectly with the spirit of the festive season.”

 

Joanne Popham, Popham Kidney Support CEO, and Co-Founder and Chair of Paul Popham Running Cub, said:

“The running club is filled with social, fun-loving people who recognise the benefits that running can bring to their physical and emotional wellbeing, while also creating a social environment. Every year, members support the club and charity’s development. They either take part in one of the club’s events, volunteer, or help organise it. The £4330 is an amazing amount and does not include the sponsorship that individuals raise for races they take part in on behalf of the charity – our members truly make the running club a family.”

 

Stephen Arnold, Vice Chair, Paul Popham Running Club, said:

“Being part of this family-friendly club that supports a great cause is wonderful. We are lucky indeed.”

 

Simon Treharn, Fundraising Secretary, Paul Popham Running Club, said:

‘’We organise many fundraising initiatives throughout the year, all members get behind the initiatives with enthusiasm. We started a lottery for the club members and in its first year, it raised over £1000, all while also enabling members to become lottery winners!”

 

Lynne Orton, Chair of Trustees, Popham Kidney Support, said:

“The PPRC donates funds to the charity annually, and we are very lucky to have such a band of runners who also understand how charities need their support.”

To find out more and/or to join the running club visit: www.paulpophamrunningclub.co.uk

News

Grade 2-listed landmark takeover first step in making town more inclusive and accessible for all

A BELOVED Denbighshire landmark is beginning a new era.

Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC has taken on management of the town’s Grade 2-listed Market Hall.

And Operations Manager Bernadette O’Malley has already made her mark, organising a wide range of activities, and unveiling proposals for better access and toilet facilities on-site.

She is also working in partnership with businesses and organisations to improve services and ensure Ruthin does all it can to be even more inclusive and eco-friendly.

With more and more traders displaying their wares, and independent local producers supplying goods for the popular café, Bernadette is confident they are moving in the right direction.

The building had been redeveloped over recent years by DVSC (Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council), the charity that supports other third sector, community groups and social enterprises across the county, and she thanked them for their ongoing support.

“DVSC spotted the potential of this redundant building a few years ago, so we’ve worked together to create a vibrant place for people to make, sell, and show,” said Bernadette.

“None of the things we are proposing can happen without the buy-in and feedback of this community, and fortunately that has been the case.

“From the market perspective, we are working with the footfall we have and are seeing a rise in the number of people coming through the doors, not just to visit the stalls but for events as well.

“We’ve had live music, wedding fairs, dancing, pop-up restaurants, jazz and comedy nights, and there is a lot more in the pipeline, with the Market Hall at the centre of developments across the town.”

She added: “Importantly, in the coming months work will be taking place to improve the toilet facilities and access, to become more dementia and disability friendly and remove any barriers to visiting us.

“The community fridge is also here, and we hope more people will use it, not just due to the cost-of-living crisis but because a lot of the food and drink has been donated by local supermarkets that would have gone to waste.

“From sustainable projects to entertainment, the affordable artisan market and the many other things coming up, we are trying to generate interest among all ages and create a buzz that’s sustainable.

“We’ve had the backing of councillors and businesses but it’s not just us, it’s a partnership and we’ve had a lot of interest, there is an appetite for this.

“It’s all happening, it’s coming together, and I can’t thank the people of Ruthin enough for their support. We are moving forward and I’m excited to see what the future will bring.”

Tom Barham, Chief Officer at DVSC, said they were pleased to be able to “pass the torch” to Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC having revamped the structure by attracting investment from the Welsh Government’s Foundational Economy Challenge Fund via Denbighshire County Council, the UK Government Community Renewal Fund, Circular Economy Funding, and DVSC’s own funds.

“Bernadette’s vision for the Market Hall in our community is a breath of fresh air and we are happy to support her to manage this through her growing, new social enterprise,” he said.

“DVSC has worked hard over the past four years to bring the market from an empty, cold and redundant building to the brilliant facility we see today.

“It was always our plan to spin this out to a local social enterprise so we are thrilled it will be operating under the direct management of Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC and are sure both the site and the town itself will go from strength to strength.”

For the latest news and information from Ruthin Artisan Markets CIC, visit the website: www.artisanmarkets.wales or www.ruthinmarkethall.com.

Follow them on Facebook at @ruthinmarkethall, Instagram @ruthin_market_hall and Twitter @ruthinMH.

For more information on DVSC, visit www.dvsc.co.uk or email tom@dvsc.co.uk. Follow them on Facebook at @DVSCDenbighshire, Instagram @DVSC_Denbighshire and Twitter @DVSC_Wales.

News

Swansea Building Society £1000 donation helps children’s hospice with sensory POD

Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice has been given a £1000 donation from Swansea Building Society, as part of the Society’s centenary celebrations, to fund a sensory POD to help children with life-shortening conditions and their loved ones.

The donation will specifically fund a POD sensory themed space at Tŷ Hafan. These spaces play a crucial role in helping children explore their emotions in a calming environment, particularly those living with special sensory and complex needs.

The POD is an invaluable addition to the hospice and is designed to provide a respite care environment that aids in communication, development, and emotional well-being.

When entering the POD, children are transported to another level of sensory engagement. They are surrounded by a 360-degree graphical representation that immerses them in various environments, such as a spacecraft traveling through the galaxy, a jungle, or a snowy scene.

With a control panel and holographic effect navigation equipment, the children feel fully immersed in these environments, promoting a sense of calm and enjoyment. The highly visible formations subtly mapped out in the POD further enhance the experience, allowing children to explore and communicate their emotions effectively.

Sorrel Mayo, Corporate Senior Fundraiser at Tŷ Hafan, said:

“At Tŷ Hafan, many of our children find communicating quite difficult, so it is essential to use sensory items to help with development and communication. In turn, these activities help to reduce anxiety and provide emotional support through play, along with learning new coping strategies for the difficulties they face. Importantly, this also promotes emotional well-being which has a knock-on effect for the whole family.

“Huge thanks to Swansea Building Society for very kindly providing the funds for the themed pods; they are a hugely important addition to the hospice, and the benefits to the children are immeasurable.”

Swansea Building Society’s donation to Tŷ Hafan forms part of its larger centenary initiative, which aims to give back to the community. In total, the Society will donate £100,000 to local charities, with £85,000 being allocated to three main charitable causes. Additionally, the Society’s Swansea, Carmarthen, and Cowbridge branches will donate £15,000 to charities directly related to their local communities. These contributions reflect Swansea Building

Society’s values of supporting the local community and making a positive difference in the region.

Alongside the donation to Tŷ Hafan, Swansea Building Society has undertaken various centenary initiatives throughout the year. These include 100 days of volunteering, encouraging staff members to engage in local projects; planting 100 trees at Penllergare Valley Woods; as well as organising various other fundraisers, with proceeds benefiting the Society’s official staff charity, Maggie’s Swansea.

Richard Miles, Head of Savings & Marketing/Area Manager East, said:

“We are delighted to donate £1000 to Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice to fund this sensory POD as part of our ongoing centenary celebration. It is a privilege to support such a remarkable charity that provides comfort, care, and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their loved ones. At Swansea Building Society, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in our local community and are honoured to play a role in improving the lives of these children and their families.”

Swansea Building Society fund sensory POD at Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice
News

Soap legend leads cast of dementia-friendly audio series on 60s seaside town

A SOAP opera legend heads the cast of a new audio series about Rhyl in the 1960s.

The three-part drama – specially commissioned by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council’s Dementia Aware team – brings to life a chapter of The Reso, written by local author Ambrose Conway.

Evoking Bank Holiday memories of the seaside resort in the sixties, as seen through the eyes of David, a young boy growing up on ‘The Reso’ council estate, the programme was adapted by award winning playwright Toby Hulse and produced by Rhyl’s Steve Allan Jones, supported by North Wales charity Action for Arts.

Heading up the cast is Flint star Ian Puleston-Davies, best known for his role as Corrie builder Owen Armstrong, in the role of narrator and adult David.

The Reso cast is largely made up of local actors, with a special appearance by Matthew Campbell, the voice of Chase in the popular UK dubbed children’s TV series, Paw Patrol.

Musician Steve, a former member of The Alarm, who is currently touring with Spear of Destiny, is proud to have played a part in bringing the book to life via audio recording.

“This has been a real labour of love, but wonderful to be working with Ian and the supporting ensemble,” he said.

Executive producer Alison Carter added: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with DVSC, exploring dementia-friendly ways of creating new audio theatre.

“We have been very lucky to work with Ian and the North Wales cast – particularly the young actors who have been a pleasure to have on board.

“I’m sure this series will be very nostalgic for those who grew up in the 1960s era.”

The Reso is free to listen to and can be found on the Action for Arts website, with links to each episode and information about the production team and cast.

For more, visit www.actionforarts.org.uk/the-reso.

News

Q saddles up to support cycle delivery scheme

A Shropshire financial firm is helping the chain take the strain by throwing its weight behind an innovative cycle delivery scheme.

Q Financial Services is sponsoring work to promote Shropshire Cycle Hub’s free Cycle Delivery Scheme in Wellington which delivers shopping to people’s doors across the town.

A team of volunteers use electric bikes to deliver shopping from town centre stores to customers three days a week – helping boost town centre trade, cut down on traffic and carbon emissions and taking the weight off shoppers who no longer have to struggle with heavy bags.

Shoppers send a text to a special number and the volunteers then ride into action to pick up the shopping and deliver it to the customer’s home.

Q Commercial Finance director Steve Parry – who has lived in Wellington all his life and works at Q’s base in Haygate Road – said he was delighted to be backing the scheme.

“This is an absolutely fantastic service which is staffed entirely by volunteers and is totally free for the people who use it. The cyclists collect people’s shopping from stores taking part in the scheme and then deliver it to their home so they don’t have to worry about carrying it.

“It operates within a three-mile radius of the town centre and is a real boon to the elderly, people with mobility issues or anyone who does not have a car and struggles carrying their bags on the bus or whilst walking.

‘The ethos of doing something which benefits not only the customer but the town and the environment very much reflects our own philosophy at Q. The scheme has the potential to benefit the whole town centre and that is something we are delighted to support.”

Wellington Cycle Delivery Scheme volunteer Paul Kalinauckas said Q’s help could not have come at a better time.

“We have tremendous support from Shropshire Cycle Hub, which has loaned us one of the two bikes we use, and we really want to grow the number of people who use us. We pick up from the independent shops in the town centre and the market so people can come into town and not worry about how they are going to get their shopping home.

“Everyone who has used us so far says what a fantastic job we do and we now want to expand the scheme and attract more people to use it.”

Felllow volunteer Anthony Lowe – deputy mayor of Wellington Town Council – said all volunteers were fully trained and insured.

“This free of charge service provides convenience for Wellington shoppers and supports our distinctive range of small shops and market traders.

“It also reduces unnecessary car or van journeys as people can come into the town by foot or public transport and then get their shopping taken home later,” he said.

Shropshire Cycle Hub, a community charity which improves access to healthy, sustainable transport, administers the scheme, which is currently operating on Thursdays and Fridays from 10.30 am until 2pm and 9.30 am to 12.00 pm on Saturdays.

Delivery can be booked by calling or texting 07398 136120 during operating hours.

Steve added: “The more people who use the scheme, the better it will be for the whole town. My own family has used it and I cannot recommend it enough.”
For more information about Q – which has bases in Wellington and Shrewsbury – visit https://www.qfinancialservices.co.uk/

News

Warrington Business Park continues partnership with local charity

Birchwood Park, the North West’s largest out-of-town business destination, is thrilled to announce it has raised more than £9,100 for charity in 2022, a huge increase on the previous year.

The Warrington-based business park managed to raise money for its chosen Warrington charity, Walton Lea Partnership.

Walton Lea Partnership provides a variety of activities and supported learning opportunities for adults and young people with learning disabilities living in the region, accessible at its two sites in Walton Lea Victorian Walled Garden and Walton Gardens Conservatory Range.

The charitable sum was raised through a series of challenges and events taking part across the Birchwood Park premises, including the annual DuckFest which raised a total of £2,463. Another big fundraiser for the park was the 42-mile Bike Ride completed by 15 of the Birchwood Park team, raising just under £2,000.

More recently, the Park’s occupiers joined in on wreath making and a ‘family film’ show, again to encourage donations to the Walton Lea Partnership.

Alongside the donation total, the Birchwood Park team has helped the charity with the installation of new lights and sockets at Walton Lea’s headquarters and café area.

Birchwood Park was able to donate an additional £2,500 this year in comparison to 2021, with lockdown restrictions finally easing allowing the opportunity to host more activities on-site, as opposed to virtual events.

Following a successful partnership Birchwood Park has decided to continue supporting the Warrington charity throughout 2023. The Park thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the charity and wanted to support its great work for even longer.

A spokesperson for Walton Lea Partnership commented: “We’ve been very lucky to be supported by Birchwood Park this year and all our staff are incredibly grateful to hear that the Park will be continuing to partner with us in 2023. Birchwood Park hosts a number of fantastic fundraisers and we’re looking forward to see what the team has planned in the coming months.”

Facilities Co-ordinator at Birchwood Park, Elaine Hoult added: “We’re proud to have raised over £9,100 for the brilliant Walton Lea Partnership.

“As a result of the lockdown restrictions, footfall was significantly reduced in 2021, contributing to less events and ultimately fewer donations. However, last year we were able to get things back to normal and invite people far and wide to come along and visit the Park, as well as welcoming back our occupier staff who had previously worked from home.

Martin continued: “We’ve got a busy 2023 schedule planned for our occupiers and visitors, which will give us the chance to continue with a number of fundraising activities to encourage donations to Walton Lea Partnership, as well as offering some great activities for people to get involved in.”

News

Little Rascals the winner as Q backs year of events

A fast-growing Shropshire financial firm is sponsoring a year of adrenaline-fuelled events – and helping raise cash for a special charity.

Q Financial Services – which has offices in Wellington and Shrewsbury – has extended its sponsorship deal with Adrenaline Sporting Events (ASE) to cover all 11 of its 2023 events.

Q team members will take part in the events to raise cash for the Little Rascals Foundation, which supports children with disabilities and their families.

Q Commercial Finance director Steve Parry said they were delighted to increase their support for ASE, whose events include the Oswestry, Welshpool and Newtown 10K runs, the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon, Shropshire Santa Run, Pedal the Borders and Valley Burner cycle events and the Running Festival at Brynkinalt.

“This is the perfect opportunity for us to support some really fantastic community events which do so much good for the people who take part and the charities they support, but also to raise some money for Little Rascals in the process.

“Our mortgage partner Ben Wootton helped set up and establish Little Rascals and the charity is close to all our hearts here for the brilliant work it does to give youngsters the best possible opportunities in life.

“To be able to get involved in these events and raise money for such a good cause is a real pleasure.”

The first ASE event this year is an evening with multi gold medal winning Olympic cyclist Dame Laura Kenny in Oswestry on February 9.

Alan Lewis, from ASE, said: “We like to align ourselves with the best businesses in the county and Q are a perfect partner for us. Their support will help us raise more money for local charities and benefit even more communities across the county.”

To donate to Little Rascals visit https://www.littlerascalsfoundation.com/donate/ and for more information about Q visit https://www.qfinancialservices.co.uk/

For tickets for the evening with Dame Laura and details of all the events run by ASE visit http://www.adrenalinesportingevents.co.uk/

Charity & CSR, Construction, Construction News, News

Covers’ Help for Hospices campaign raises more than £32,000

Eleven hospices in the south are to benefit from more than £32,000 thanks to a special fundraising campaign by Covers Timber & Builders Merchants.

The company, which has 14 depots across Hampshire, Sussex and Kent, gave £5 for every purchase during its annual Help for Hospices charity week, which took place from 12th to 16th September, and donated a total of £32,155.

Covers’ chairman Rupert Green said:

“Thank you to everyone who supported our Help for Hospices week this year and helped us to provide an incredible amount of money. It means that since we launched the initiative in 2015, our customers have helped us to raise more than £217,000 for hospices across the south east.”

“Charities rely on donations and the money raised will help hospices continue to provide vital services to the communities they serve.”

Hospices being supported by Covers are:

• St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing, West Sussex
• St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley, West Sussex
• St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Bosham, West Sussex
• Mountbatten Hospice in Southampton, Hampshire
• Naomi House & Jacksplace in Winchester, Hampshire
• Rowans Hospice in Waterlooville, Hampshire
• Martlets Hospice in Brighton, East Sussex
• St Peter & St James Hospice in Lewes, East Sussex
• Hospice in the Weald in Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham, Surrey
• Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Eltham, London

The family-run company, which opened its first depot in Chichester, West Sussex, is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. It supplies specialist timber services and products to the building trade and for home DIY. Mr Green said Covers is proud of its heritage and its close connection with the communities it serves.

News

Swansea Building Society donates to ten Welsh foodbanks

The Society also supports two Swansea charities with large donations during December

Swansea Building Society has made generous donations, totalling £7,000, to ten foodbanks and two local charities this December, driven by concerns over the cost-of-living crisis affecting many of the communities it serves across Wales.

The building society, with branch offices in Swansea, Mumbles, Carmarthen and Cowbridge, has donated £500 to each of the ten foodbanks, which span all the geographic areas covered by its branch and admin offices.

The foodbanks benefitting from the donations are Carmarthen, Sketty, Neath, Port Talbot, Ammanford, Llanelli, Taff Ely, Cardiff, Vale (Barry), and Abergavenny. This is the second such donation Swansea Building Society has made to foodbanks in 2022, following one made to five local foodbanks earlier in the year.

In addition to the foodbank donations, the Society has also donated £1,000 each to two separate Swansea-based charities to help with their Christmas appeals.

One donation was made to kidney charity, Popham Kidney Support, to enable 100 children and their families to attend a screening of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. The second to Faith in Families’ (Swansea) Compassionate Christmas Appeal, to help give struggling parents a gift voucher to buy their child a Christmas present this year.

Staff at Swansea Building Society with a cheque for donations to Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen foodbanks.

 

Margaret Jones, Chair of the foodbank committee, Port Talbot foodbank, said:

“This donation from Swansea Building Society is a real help for Port Talbot foodbank at this incredibly busy time. The cost-of-living crisis is severely affecting our already overstretched service, and we have seen more people than ever coming in to get the food and other essentials they so desperately need. Our service is completely reliant on donations, so to receive this boost from Swansea Building Society just before Christmas is very welcome.”

Alun Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Swansea Building Society, added:

“Swansea Building Society has achieved great success over the past couple of years; however, we are exceedingly mindful of the financial difficulties so many are facing during this current cost-of-living crisis – a crisis compounded by the spike in heating and fuel costs during this cold spell of weather. That is why we are very glad to be able to make these donations to the food banks and charities making a real difference to the lives of those who may be struggling financially this Christmas across Wales.”