Cycle ride for charity

Cyclists are being sought to take part in the Action 100 bike ride from Bristol and Bath to London on Sunday, August 30.

The event is being organised to help raise funds for medical research projects. The ride challenges cyclists who are prepared to cycle 100 miles for the charity Action Medical Research.

Cyclists have all day to complete the ride and are fully supported, with plenty of refreshment stops, a pub lunch and hot showers and beer at the finish.

All money goes directly to the charity, which has already contributed towards the first UK polio vaccine and the first medical use of ultrasound in pregnancy.

This year the charity aims to recruit 650 cyclists and raise £60,000.

To register, call Roy Clarke on 0117 973 6993 or enter online on our website

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

"Oprah" Interview With the McCanns to Air in the UK

LONDON, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Kate and Gerry McCann's interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is to be screened in the UK, a day after airing in America, NBC Universal Global Networks announced today.

Diva TV, which transmits "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in the UK, will broadcast the McCann's first US interview on Tuesday 5th May at 8pm. Viewers will see a digitally created photo that shows how Madeleine might look today, aged five.

The McCanns will talk to Oprah about the two-year hunt for their missing daughter, whilst the show's cameras go inside their home, spending the day with them and their 4-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.

"The more people able to see Madeleine's image as she would look now the better," said Jon Farrar, Programming Director for NBC Universal Global Networks (UK), which owns Diva TV.

"By appearing on 'Oprah' the family can reach millions of people in America and, given the show is broadcast in 143 countries including here in the UK, target new audiences around the world. We hope it will lead to new and useful information."

NBC Universal hopes that airing the Oprah interview will prompt new information from the public. The company is working with the UK charity Missing People to facilitate sightings confidentially immediately following the transmission.

Jo Youle, Director of Services at the charity Missing People said, "We very much hope that, by airing Gerry and Kate McCann's interview with Oprah, anyone with that vital sighting will come forward in confidence on Freefone 0500-700-700."

The Oprah Winfrey Show: "Exclusive - The McCanns and the New Search for Madeleine" will be broadcast on Tuesday 5th May at 8pm. Diva TV is available on Sky channel 269 & Virgin channel 164.

Sightings of Madeleine can also be made online at http://www.missingpeople.org.uk/madeleinemccann

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Paris marathon bid to help charity

A west Wiltshire woman is running the Paris Marathon next month to raise funds for a little-known charity in the area that provides support to disabled children.

Alison Pendle, 62, is running the famous race on April 5 for the West Wiltshire Portage Service, which is a home teaching service for pre-school children with special needs.

Portage visitors, based in Court Street, Trowbridge, go to the family home every week and work with parents and carers to encourage the children to play and learn with specific goals in mind.

Mrs Pendle is on the management committee for the charity and decided to take part in the Paris Marathon when a friend suggested it last year.

She said: “I did a half marathon back in 2004 and we raised about £4,000 between a team of us.

“I decided to do the Paris one because it is much easier to get a place to run in it than the London marathon and it is flatter.

“My running mate and I have been training hard. We downloaded a training plan from the internet and have been doing 16-mile runs fairly regularly.

“We want to raise as much money as possible for the charity.”

Children who benefit from the portage service often have conditions ranging from Down’s Syndrome to cerebral palsy.

They are allocated a home visitor who devises a detailed plan and comes each week to work on a specific aspect of their learning, sometimes as simple as holding a spoon or sitting up.

They then teach the child’s parent or carer how to continue to teach them when the visitor is not there so the child can progress steadily.

It costs the charity £2,500 a year to properly support each child and they usually work with about 30 at any one time.

But there is always a waiting list and the charity needs to raise about £30,000 a year to support the care funding it gets from Wiltshire County Council.

The charity was awarded a £1,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation - a charity run by the Wiltshire Times’ parent company - in 2007.

To sponsor Mrs Pendle on her run visit www.justgiving.com/alison-and-linda or write a cheque, mark it Paris Marathon, and send it to the West Wilts Portage Service, Andil House, Court Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8BR.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Servicemen's charity reaches £17 million

A WILTSHIRE couple’s charity to help severely wounded servicemen has now raised £17m in just 17 months.

The Help for Heroes was founded by cartoonist Bryn Parry and wife Emma, from Downton near Salisbury after Bryn visited military amputees in 2007 and were moved by their plight. Based at Tidworth on the Salisbury Plain the charity has already ploughed more than £12 million into improving facilities for seriously wounded personnel returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Of that, around £8.5 million has gone towards a swimming pool and gym at Headley Court, a rehabilitation service in Surrey. Another £3.5 million has been used for helping injured servicemen who may have lost limbs to adapt their lives and £500,000 to improve the first medical facilities injured service personnel encounter when they return to the UK, the Selly Oak NHS Hospital in Birmingham.

Since it started the public have responded well to the charity and big campaigns have helped to fuel support including the X Factor contestants’ version of Mariah Carey’s Hero as well as the support of high profile figures such as Princes William and Harry.

To find out more about the charity see the website www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

You can also send a cheque to Help for Heroes, Unit 6, Aspire Business Centre, Ordinance Room, Tidworth, SP9 7DQ, or call 0845 673 1760 or 01980 846 459.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Charity gala event at Burton Agnes Hall

KIND-hearted traders in the Driffield area are proving the credit crunch does not have to get in the way of charity.

Local traders and businesses have been generously pledging donations and promises for an auction to be held as part of a St Valentine's Charity Gala evening at Burton Agnes Hall on Saturday.

The black-tie event has a top promise of dinner for four with owner of the hall Simon Cunliffe-Lister in the dining room at the hall, complete with butler service and champagne.


Among the many items promised so far is a rugby ball signed and donated by Hull FC Rugby League Team and also a Hull City Tigers shirt signed by the team.


Proceeds from the event will go to two charities, the National Starlight Foundation, which grants a wish to severely and terminally ill children, and the local Naomi Smith Appeal.


Naomi Smith, of Nafferton underwent a liver transplant almost 15 years ago and is gearing up to represent the UK in the World Transplant Games in Australia in August.


As a member of the UK Team Naomi, of Nafferton has to raise £8,000 towards her costs and it is hoped the gala will go some way to boosting her fundraising.


Tickets for the event cost £35, including a buffet and mulled wine, and are available by calling (01262) 420062 or (01262) 490324.

From Hutton Cranswick Today

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Weight loss fundraising for Weston hospice

WORKERS at a Somerset garden centre have signed up to take part in a sponsored slim to lose more than one stone and help raise money for a Weston charity.

Dan Williams, Peter Burks, Dolly El-Mahdi, Ali Stokes, Mark Horler and Tracey Williams from Sanders GardenWorld in Brent Knoll, will be shedding pounds in aid of Weston Hospicecare.

Dan said: “When we heard about the hospice's sponsored slim we thought it was a great opportunity for a team from the garden centre to take part and get fitter and healthier for 2009.

“We want to lose a combined weight of more than seven stone and raise as much money as possible for the hospice. I hope this will encourage other businesses in the area to register teams to take part too.”

Penny Beare, fundraising and communications manager at Weston Hospicecare, said: “We are thrilled a team from Sanders GardenWorld has signed up for the sponsored slim. It is a great idea to register as a team as every participant can encourage each other.

“It's a good way to raise funds as many people may have decided to try and lose weight in the new year, and being sponsored will hopefully incentivise them to reach their goal.

In celebration of the charity's twentieth anniversary, a Gordon Ramsey-trained chef will hold a cookery demonstration at the Thatched Cottage in Weston on March 5.

Tickets are £49.95 from the fundraising department on 01934-423921 or from Weston Hospicecare's headquarters at Jackson-Barstow House, 28 Thornbury Road in Uphill, Weston.

By Burnham And Highbridge Weekly News

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Brave girl is taking leap for charity

AN East Kilbride teenager who overcame leukaemia plans to launch herself 100 feet from a crane in an attempt to raise awareness and much-needed funds for The Anthony Nolan Trust.

The prospect of taking part in the charity’s zip-slide fundraiser on Sunday, April 5, does not bother 16-year-old Calderglen High School pupil Amanda Cameron in the slightest.

For she has already had to overcome much greater challenges in her young life.

The fifth year pupil, who lives in Greenhills, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2006.

And, following an intense course of chemotherapy, she was given the all-clear in October, last year.

Although Amanda did not need a bone marrow transplant, she is still keen to highlight the work of The Anthony Nolan Trust, which has saved over 5000 people from leukaemia since its launch in 1974.

The charity was instrumental in finding a donor for young East Kilbride girl Katie Currie, who is still fighting for her health.

Every 21 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with leukaemia or a related illness and for many people a bone marrow transplant is the only cure.

It costs the charity £125 to fully tissue-type each new donor and place them onto the register and the money raised at the zip-slide will enable it to maintain and expand the bone marrow register in Scotland.

Amanda said: “Although I’m a lot better now, it’s important to remember there are thousands of others out there who are not as fortunate as I am and are desperately waiting for a bone marrow transplant.

“If the money we raise puts another potential life-saver on the bone marrow register, then the zip-slide will have been worth it.

“Three of my friends have agreed to do it with me and although we’re slightly nervous, we’re all really excited and hopefully more people will sign-up and join us on the day.”

Anne Hughes, regional fundraiser for The Anthony Nolan Trust, added: “Although we have had a good response already, there are still places available for the zip-slide, and we would like to sign up as many as 150 people over the next few weeks.

“Previous zip-slides have been very successful and we’re hoping people in East Kilbride will want to join in on what should be a great day out.”

The event, the first of its kind to be held in East Kilbride, will take place between 10am and 5pm at Calderglen Country Park.

A crane will take groups of five daredevils at a time to a height of more than 100 feet, where the ‘adrenaline junkies’ will be hooked onto a wire before zipping to the ground over 700 feet away.

To take part, all participants have to do is pay a £10 entry fee and raise £100 sponsorship. The event is open to anyone over the age of 11 years and it is hoped the event will help The Anthony Nolan Trust raise somewhere in the region of £15,000.

For more information contact The Anthony Nolan Trust on 01506 655361 or e-mail anne.hughes@anthonynolan.org.uk. Alternatively you can sign-up online at

ON A HIGH: teenager Amanda Cameron will be among the daredevils taking on the zip-slide challenge for charity.

By Lynda Nicol

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Charity event sparkles with brilliance… and diamonds

Belfast dentist, Lucy Jaffa, is hosting a multi-sports race called Diamond Quest Ireland for her charity, the African Schools Trust. With thousands of pounds worth of diamonds up for grabs, drop your drills and grab your trainers for one of the most exciting races of the year.

This May, hundreds of men and women from across Ireland and the UK are expected to hit the Irish Carlingford and Mourne Mountains. The race, which is being organised by Adventure Ireland and Causeway Coast Adventure Racing, on behalf of the African Schools Trust charity, will aim to raise funds for a feeding programme to nourish 1,000 teachers and school children in the slums of Nairobi for the following year.

Competitors will start off from Carlingford in County Louth with a hill run through the beautiful Cooley Mountains and along a forest path, followed by a short kayak section from Omeath to Warrenpoint, and finish with a bike ride through the heart of the Mournes, sweeping down to the sea at Newcastle in County Down.

But it's not just the first across the finish line who will receive prizes – there are four diamonds to be won, as charity patron Lucy Jaffa explains: ‘To give everyone the opportunity to win one of our diamonds, we'll be allocating one for those in the top 50, another for the next 100 and a third diamond for the rest of the competitors. Plus there'll also be an extra diamond to be won by any competitor or guest at the party that night in O'Hare's bar in Newcastle, where we'll sneak a diamond into a glass of champagne! It means you don't have to be the fittest to win a diamond, and you'll still have fun taking part.'

Everest climber and dentist Hannah Shields, who is supporting the event, said: ‘Taking part in a race like this will give competitors such a fantastic buzz of adrenaline, as well as the great feeling of helping so many needy children in Africa.'

Also helping to promote the race and all set to take part are Lucy Evangelista, former Miss UK, and Ulster rugby player Matt McCullough.

For those wishing to enter the race, which takes place on Saturday 9 May 2009, the fee is £80.00 (which includes T-shirt, post race party entry and refreshments). For further details, contact Lucy on +44 (0) 7734 083533 or Ivan on +44 (0) 7866 416550, or visit the website at www.diamondquestireland.com.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Charity call for unwanted Christmas presents

A LEADING children's charity is urgently seeking unwanted Christmas presents for its two shops in the Capital.

Save the Children needs new stock for its shops on Dalry Road and South Bridge.

The shops are currently raising money to help with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as running appeals for Zimbabwe and the Congo.

The South Bridge shop is now accepting electrical goods.

The charity is also appealing for volunteers.

Those interested can contact Iain Cave on 0131 527 8216 or e-mail: i.cave@savethechildren.org.uk.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Christmas charity

May the closeness of friends,
the comfort of home,
and the unity of our nation,
renew your spirits
this holiday season!!!

Christmas time is a good occasion to think about helping other people. It might include any aid you are able to provide: from food, clothing, toys for children, humanitarian aid to big and expensive presents for disabled people. You can give families joy of Christmas and make them happy.

Contribute a new toy for a child. Make child’s dream come true. Donate a wheel chair for a disabled person. Make their lives a little brighter. Deliver a charitable project for the local community. They need our help and attention.

Let us share warmth, love and provide people with the hope. This is our nearest mission for Christmas holiday. It is high time to change the world around us to good. We appeal to your heart and spirit!!!

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Charity walkers on starter's orders

MORE than 100 fundraisers will be tackling a 21-mile walk along the canal from Devizes to Bath in aid of The Forever Friends Appeal charity for the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

The Vanessa Kyte Canal Walk, which takes place tomorrow, is in memory of Vanessa Kyte, one of the Appeal's fundraisers who lost her life to cancer in November 2007.

Vanessa's family and friends have decided to follow in her footsteps and together raise funds for state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Cancer Unit at the RUH.

The walkers will be joined on the day by a team of families with their babies and buggies and up to 20 canoeists, who have chosen to raise funds for the Appeal's NICU space to grow' Campaign - in aid of premature babies.

They will be setting off from Devizes Wharf at 9am and will be joined by Cllr Jane Burton, Mayor of Devizes.

The walk will then pass through Bradford on Avon at lunch time and finish at Queen's Square in Bath.

Vanessa Kyte raised more than £100,000 for various local and national charities following her diagnosis with breast cancer in 2000.

Her sister Nic Noble, from Warminster, said: "I'm really hoping for good weather on Saturday and I'm so pleased to hear that there are so many people joining us along the route.

"I can't wait to meet lots of new faces and have some really good chats with everyone who is joining together on this one day to support their local hospital."

By Wiltshire Times

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Fundraising concert to aid quake victims

A MAJOR fundraising event to help the victims of the recent earthquake in China is to be held in Edinburgh tomorrow.

The Wings of Life concert will feature a mixture of Chinese and Western dance and music.

The idea for the concert came from Chinese students studying at the University of Edinburgh.

All funds raised will go towards helping victims of the quake in Sichuan Province, which is estimated to have killed at least 68,000 people and has left more than five million homeless.

The event has been organised with the help of the Chinese Consulate in Edinburgh and the Chinese community in Scotland.

The concert will feature the renowned Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe from China, who will perform the spectacular Thousand-hand Bodhisattva dance.

The dance was first performed at the closing ceremony of the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

The concert is being held at the McEwan Hall, Teviot Place, and starts at 7.30pm.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

DEC launches urgent Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal as UK charities reach thousands affected

As the number of those affected by the devastating cyclone in Myanmar continues to rise, leading UK charities on the ground in Myanmar (Burma) are starting to reach those who are homeless and without food and water.

With more than 22,000 people now confirmed dead and more than 40,000 missing, the need to respond is immediate and vast. The Disasters Emergency Committee will broadcast a national appeal for the DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal tomorrow 8th May.

For donations, please visit www.dec.org.uk or phone: 0870 60 60 900.

Speaking about the launch DEC Chief Executive, Brendan Gormley, said: "our members are there and need the UK public to show huge generosity to help them reach those thousands of people who have seen their lives and livelihoods uprooted by this disaster."

World Vision, the Red Cross and Save the Children are among the charities who have a long term presence in Myanmar and their teams have responded since the cyclone struck on Saturday. They are already distributing clean drinking water, hygiene kits and emergency relief supplies and aim to scale this up in the days to come.

Please contact DEC Press office: 0207 387 0200 (out of hours - 07930 999 014).

OXAM

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

The Wild Banana Orchid and the Ghost Orchid at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Wild Banana Orchid and the Ghost Orchid at the Chelsea Flower Show from 5th to 25th May, 2008

The British will have a chance to see the rarest blooming orchids: the Wild Banana Orchid and the Ghost Orchid. Besides the rarest species – there are displayed many other plants.

After the show the orchids will be displayed at the auction organized by the new on-line charity auction site. The main purpose of this auction is to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK and the Cayman Islands’ Blue Iguana Recovery programmes. Though these plants are beyond price but every collector would like to see this exotic plant in his garden. Experts of the British horticultural industry specializing in the orchid domain predict that those who are fond of these Orchids may purchase them – both for 250,000 pounds. Due to the trade law- it is prohibited to take the wild orchids away from the Cayman Islands, so the auction is the only opportunity for those romantic ones to contemplate these rare species for inspiration in their gardens. Also Orchid Society of Great Britain gave a promise to include a free Orchids care training course for the highest bidder to assist him in growing orchids successfully.

The Wild Banana Orchid or Myrmecophila thomsoniana is the National Flower of the Cayman Islands. This plant grows only in Cayman Islands. The name of this orchid type originates from its pseudo bulbs shape-like small yellow or green bananas.

The Ghost Orchid or Dendrophylax fawcettii is native only to Grand Cayman and should not be confused with the Eurasian Ghost Orchid. The Ghost Orchid is a fine plant which has no leaves, just flat grey roots and its beautiful cream- coloured flowers, blooming in May-August.
Due to the fact that the orchid roots mix so well together with the tree, the flower often seems to be floating in the air that is why it is named "Ghost Orchid". Also it secretes a charming fragrance in the evening. It is very, very close to extinction, that it is good to preserve it for the future generations to see it.

Hope everybody who comes will enjoy the show. Welcome to the world greatest flower show.


Important Update:

These exotic and rarest plants are endemic to the Cayman Islands. Due to the obligatory restrictions obliged by the government of the Cayman Islands, now they should be left in the Cayman Islands. Of course, the bidder will possess the flower, but he/she could contemplate it only in the protecting environment natural to the fine plant. High – qualified specialists in horticultural sector of the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park in the Cayman Islands will take care of the orchids and provide them with the required conditions to grow and blossom. The owner of the plant has the right to come and see (with the partner) the best and the rarest wild plants during the holiday.

The winner will stay a week holiday in Grand Cayman at the Marriott Beach Resort on the world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Botanic Park’s Director, Andrew Guthrie invited the bidders to a trip about the Park, moreover they are be given a private tour of the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme. So they will have an opportunity to see the world’s greatest lizards back from extinction. The Cayman Islands are famous for its sub aqua sea life too: nice swimming with the snorkel and diving pleasure. The final excitement for our bidders is 100 friendly Caribbean stingrays! They will be swimming in open water of the Caribbean Sea! Do not miss this one on the thrilling wildlife experiences in the world. To add the last feel to the holiday, helicopter driving tour over the Cayman Island is included for those who are fond of adrenalin! Feel free to enjoy the freedom!!!

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Win A Unique Volkswagen Van And Help Teenage Cancer Trust

Core Facts •UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), together with legendary rock band, The Who, are launching a worldwide competition to win a unique 1965 ‘split-screen’ Volkswagen Transporter van with special The Who ‘Magic Bus’ branding.

read more | digg story

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Prince stars in charity cancer show

WHEN he takes to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall tonight, Prince Aidoo will be representing every teenage cancer sufferer in the UK.

The 19-year-old is introducing a series of star-studded fundraising gigs for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the charity he says played a key role in his recovery from the disease.

Prince, from Leyton in east London, was just 13 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

“I had severe headaches and pain in my legs and ribs,” says the budding musician and entrepreneur.

“I couldn’t even lift my arms and I was limping.”

His “panicking” mother took him to a doctor and tests confirmed leukaemia.

A year of chemotherapy treatment and recovery followed the diagnosis - and Prince’s life was turned upside down.

He missed months of school - and had to stop playing basketball, a sport he loved.

“I was on the team at school,” he says. “It was devastating that I had to stop doing something I was passionate about.”

Despite missing school, Prince was still able to pass seven GCSEs at the same time as his schoolmates - and things looked like they were on the up.

But when he was 17, the leukaemia struck again.

Prince underwent months of chemo and radiotherapy and his consultant suggested a bone marrow transplant.

In October 2006, Prince had his sister’s bone marrow transplanted. The op was successful and he has been in remission ever since.

“It’s taken a while to get over it all, but for the first time in ages I’m finally keeping my weight constant and am eating properly,” he says.

He hopes to go to Bournemouth University to do a business degree in September - and wants to be an entrepreneur “because I like having a hand in everything and want to make a lot of money”.

In the meantime, his attention will be focused on the Teenage Cancer Trust and helping raise money for the specialist units they provide for teen cancer patients all over the UK.

Prince says that the environment provided by the units - a room for each person, vibrant decor, pictures, computers and flexible visitng hours for friends - played a vital role in his recovery.

At the final Royal Albert Hall gig on Sunday, he hopes to perform a song dedicated to the friends he made while being treated on the TCT ward at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.

“The song is called Smile Away,” says Prince. “It’s a song close to my heart.”

During the series of benefit gigs (8-13 April), Prince will be interviewing the stars and staff backstage and getting the lowdown on planning, organising and performing.

“I want to launch an internet radio station on the Teenage Cancer Trust website in the next few months and put the interviews up on there,” says Prince.

“I don’t think I would have got through my cancer battle without TCT - I want to give a little bit back.”

Book gig tickets at Teen Cancer Trust

Via The Sun

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Cafe to host charity bash

CHICAGO Rock Cafe in Redditch has teamed up with the mayor's charity to host a huge fundraising event on Wednesday, May 7.

Management at the old cinema venue have been in talks with the mayor's office to host an event which will see local talent unite for an evening of entertainment and fundraising for the County Air Ambulance and the Sandycroft Wellbeing Centre.

General manager, Dave Allen, is calling upon all local companies to donate prizes for this special night that will see Take That Now and PolkaDot Shotgun perform live on stage.

He said: "We want to make this a fun-packed night for people while we all help to make money for Redditch mayor David Hunt's charity.

"If you have anything at all you can donate for the night, I'd be so happy to hear from you and will make sure you get a big plug for the night."

The mayor has confirmed his attendance for the event which takes place a week before his term of office ends.

It is open to the public and tickets starting from £2 each will be on sale soon.

The evening includes a free buffet and entertainment from Chicago Rock's resident DJ.

Special drinks deals will also be available throughout the evening.

Jenny Ashman from the County Air Ambulance said: "Through the generosity of people like David Allen, Chicago Rock Café and the general public our charity is kept airborne and able to save lives all across the Midlands."

Any one who thinks they can help in any way should call Dave on 595232.

from Redditch Advertiser

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

Bikers mark charity week

A convoy of motorbike enthusiasts and a fancy dress parade took place in Lister Park, Bradford, to mark national brain injury week organised by charity Headway.

Julie Scott, chairman of Headway Bradford, said: "Since we started Headway we now have nearly 100 members and we have great local support. Unfortunately the situation here in terms of support for those suffering brain injuries has not changed in that time.

"We organised this weekend's event to raise the profile of the group and I would like to thank all those who attended."

Anyone who wants to find out more about Headway Bradford or become involved in its work can contact Julie on 07856 076867, or e-mail juliescott@headwaybradford.co. uk, or call Iris Laycock on 07856 076866.

The Headway Bradford website.

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!

North East unites behind Sir Bobby Robson charity bid

On Easter Monday, there was a knock at Sir Bobby Robson's door. A stranger was standing outside his Co Durham house clutching a brown envelope. “My first thought: football agent,” he said, with a familiar chuckle yesterday, and the package in question did, indeed, contain money. In used notes and loose change was £274.71; the gesture, however, was priceless.

The woman in front of him began telling Robson her story. Her husband had died recently and his final request was that mourners should not send flowers to mark his passing. Instead, he had heard that Robson was establishing a charity and asked for a collection to be made at his funeral. Here she was, clutching the proceeds. It is the kind of warmth Robson generates.

As Fabio Capello, the England manager, prepares for the friendly against France this evening, an illustrious predecessor is grappling with a different challenge. For the fifth time, Robson, 75, has been told that he has cancer and, while he remains in bubbly, fighting form, this time it is inoperable. As you would expect, it is not the end of the matter.

When Dr Ruth Plummer, Robson's oncologist, asked him if he knew of businessmen or contacts who could help to raise money for a new facility at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, he went several steps further. The result is the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which, initially at least, aims to raise £500,000 for a cancer trials research centre.

Robson has undertaken his task with the same gusto that transformed Ipswich Town into winners of the FA and Uefa Cups, made England World Cup semi-finalists, that took him on a remarkable journey to the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and back to Newcastle United. He winces at the thought of the charity carrying his name, but acknowledges the opportunity that it presents.

“There's a saying from my part of the world, which I don't really like, but maybe it's appropriate - shy bairns get nothing,” he said. “My other skirmishes have been football-related and this is medical-related and the process of raising quite a bit of money isn't easy, because it's not easy asking people for money, is it? The problem is, if I don't ask, I don't get, so I've got to take the bull by the horns.”

Robson has done so much that is positive for the reputation of English football, that the response has been overwhelming. The chairmen of Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough have all promised the foundation access to their supporter databases, while Des Lynam, Peter Beardsley and Brendan Foster were present to offer their backing to the launch.

“I'm very confident all three of our clubs will stay in the Premier League and I hope so, too, because while I'm black-and-white, I'm a northeastern lad and Sunderland and Middlesbrough are very important to this region,” Robson said. “The centre we are setting up is for people across the North East and Cumbria.” Season ticket-holders will be hearing from him.

Unsurprisingly, events at St James' Park remain close to his heart. “I'm a fan again now, which is strange for me sometimes, but I enjoy it,” Robson said. “Newcastle will be in the Premier League next season and we all know they have the resources to take things on in the summer. I think they'll need five new players and that will entail spending a fair bit of money.” Spending it is no longer Robson's problem; raising it is.

Donations can be made at TheSirBobbyRobsonFoundation

• Digg this
• Add to del.icio.us
• Stumble It!