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From the Street to the Roof of the World

One of TV soap Coronation Street's most pivotal characters, male nurse Martin Platt, played by actor Sean Wilson, married in the series to the long-suffering Gail Tilsley, is to open the first of five schools being built in Nepal by leading hardware and decorative glass products supplier UAP.

In partnership with North West of England based charity DWCW-Nepal, which raises funds to assist with school building projects and immunisation programmes, UAP has committed to building a school a year for the next five years in the impoverished country.

A video documentary is currently being made about the project and will feature the journey of experience being undertaken by Sean Wilson who also hopes to play in a commemorative football match at the opening of the first UAP-Nepal Community School.

Although most of the schools will naturally be located in broken terrain due to the nature of the country located in the Himalayas, the first school however does have a level stretch of ground nearby, and it was proposed to hold a celebration of its opening in the form of the football match.

As Leeds supporter David Jennings explains, ‘The Nepalese, having a 150 year association of loyalty and friendship with Great Britain are really keen on football, although they don't have much of a chance to play it - the ground is usually unsuitable for even rough and ready kickabouts.

‘When the match, between township locals and the charity workers, was first proposed as a celebration you could not imagine the sheer delight that this idea generated. It will be something akin to a local derby between two major clubs in any city in the UK and will enjoy a strong turn out.’

Actor Sean Wilson, who first heard of the schools building project through documentary maker Cozmic TV, is a lifelong footballer and couldn't wait to take part.

Funding for the building project is being made by UAP and managing Director David Jennings emphasises that the completion of the project requires nothing from UAP's customers or suppliers. ‘All we want our customers to do is to continue supporting UAP by buying our products.’

Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com

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Pearl Window Systems Raffles Car for Charity

Pearl Window Systems Ltd of Bolton is offering a fantastic raffle prize of a brand new Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.2 S. It's a sleek metallic black motor with air con and alloys and it could be yours for only £1.

All proceeds from this raffle are going to be donated to Hope House Children's Hospice. Hope House was named after a child, Hope Peachey, who died aged eight months. Her parents were among many who campaigned tirelessly to build a children's hospice.

Since opening, over 350 families have been cared for by the hospice. The needs of each family alters as their terminally ill child enters different phases of their condition. In response to the obvious need of some families for support in the home, the service was expanded in 1998 to include home care, where appropriate.

Pearl Window Systems Managing Director Jeff Walsh, recently completed a gruelling 500 mile bicycle ride, organised by GM Fundraiser Gary Morton. Starting at the Eiffel Tower and finishing at Blackpool Tower, Jeff's 500 mile ride raised just short of £10.5k for the Hope House Charity.

Jeff's efforts for the Hope House Hospice are totally commendable, taking valuable time off work and training for the event was no mean feat at all. Jeff's generosity now goes even further with the donation of this fantastic car to raise even more money for this worthwhile cause.

Pearl Window Systems won the car in a competition organised by Paul Sullivan, Managing Director of Anglo European Import Export Ltd. The competition had three excellent prizes with the car being top prize, offered to the first customer of Anglo European that had the largest increase in percentage of annual spend.

Jeff Walsh asked Paul Sullivan from Anglo European if he could donate the car to this worthy charity. Paul of course gave his full blessing, he is more than pleased to see it benefit the charity in this way.

Hope House Children's Hospice needs £3m per year to survive. Most of the cash goes towards specialist equipment needed for terminally ill children. Their only source of funding comes from the efforts and generosity of people like Jeff.

You don't need to dig deep, raffle tickets cost only £1 and the competition will be drawn in September this year.

You can purchase tickets from the following outlets:
Hope House Children's Hospice
Tel: 01691 671 671

Pearl Window Systems Ltd
Tel: 01942 843586. Ask for Karen Dawson

Clearview Magazine
Tel: 01226 321 450

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Wolfgang Gorner Rides Out for Charity

Wolfgang Gorner, Business Unit Director at REHAU Window Division, will be cycling the 300km from London to Paris in May to raise money for the National Autistic Society.

A keen and experienced cyclist, Wolfgang is confident that he can complete the sponsored ride in just three days, riding an average of 100km or just over 60 miles a day.

He says: ‘I am training hard at the moment and should reach my peak of fitness in time for May! Hopefully, the weather will be kind to me and I can raise as much as money as possible for this great cause.’

REHAU is hosting a fundraising night during Glassex to support Wolfgang's efforts and, in true racing style, he has also sold advertising space on his shirt in return for additional funds.

Alongside REHAU, fabricators Astraseal, Chester Windows, Iceni Windows and Smiths Glass have all bought space for their logos and have each contributed £300 towards the overall target.

To sponsor Wolfgang, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/WolfgangGorner.

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Horizon Windows Improving Playtime at Zöe's Baby Hospice

Playtime has just got better at Liverpool's specialist Baby Hospice Zöe's Place, thanks to Horizon Windows and Sheerframe systems manufacturer L.B. Plastics.

Horizon Windows has donated new PVC windows complete with installation, which renovate the new messy playroom, in conjunction with Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT) and the charity has received an additional boost from L.B. Plastics which has donated £500 to furnish the playroom.

(L-R) Richie Fazakerley from LHT, Ryan Ellis a patient at Zoe's Place, David Moorcroft from Horizon Windows and Penny Williams from Zoe's Place in the new messy playroom

Horizon Windows replaced the dilapidated timber frame windows at Zöe's Place with Sheerframe 70 casements complete with restricted hinges, providing increased safety to the children and improving the thermal efficiency and the aesthetics of the room.

David Moorcroft, the manager at Horizon Windows says, ‘As a preferred supplier with LHT, we were keen to support the renovation work they were carrying out at Zöe's Place and replacing the windows was essential to ensure the room was safe and warm for the children to use.

‘L.B. Plastics' donation has been used to furnish the messy playroom with a range of toys, tables, chairs, easels, paints, crayons and other art materials. These final additions completed the room and the new playroom is already proving very popular with the children.’

Last year Liverpool Housing Trust reached its 40th year and to celebrate the Trust wanted to put something back into the local community. LHT and its employees nominated Zöe's Place as a worthy cause but rather than donating funds LHT wanted to provide something tangible.

Liverpool Housing Trust's Richie Fazakerley says, ‘Throughout the LHT network, we have an array of valuable skills at our disposal. Rather than donating funds we wanted to donate our skills to carry out much needed renovation work at the hospice.’

Through fundraising events such as auctions and dress down days, LHT has carried out a range of work including renovating the children's playroom, 8 relatives' bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a self-contained bereavement suite and external landscaping.

Zöe's Place is the only baby hospice in the UK to provide 24 hour respite and palliative care for babies with multiple special needs. With no government funding, Zöe's Place relies on donations and fundraising events to generate funds to provide vital nursing care and family support to special needs babies.

Zöe's Place Appeals Director, Penny Williams says, ‘Without the generosity of the LHT and affiliated contractors like Horizon we wouldn't have been able to carry out any of the renovation work. The messy playroom is ideal for the children to be creative and to have messy fun, providing key stimulation to improve their development.’

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KAT UK Helps Protect Tigers with £7,454 Donation

KAT UK, the UK supplier of patio doors and vertical sliding sash windows, donated £3719 during 2006 to Care for the Wild International (CWI) - it will help aid the charity's work in protecting wild tigers.

KAT UK agreed to make a contribution to the charity for every unit it sold and has donated almost £7,500 since it launched the scheme in 2005. The firm will continue to support CWI during 2007.

Managing director at KAT UK, Jonathan Sheard said: ‘We've used the tiger in our logo for almost nine years but regardless of that connection, we believe this is a worthwhile charity that undertakes extremely important work as there may be less than 5000 tigers left in the wild today.

‘Our donation will help Care for the Wild International protect wild tigers by funding equipment, manpower and extra support for forest guards - several of whom are killed each year by poachers.’

CWI has been working since 1995 to protect the tiger in India and has delivered over £230,000 to develop a variety of key projects.

Since it was founded, CWI has provided 35 vehicles for anti-poaching teams working in India's Tiger Reserves. Over £100,000 of equipment has been donated to date for the protection of the Bengal tiger including jeeps, motorcycles and motorboats, binoculars and cameras. CWI has also provided 192 forest guards in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with insurance policies for life and sick cover. CWI was also first to address the world's biggest threat facing tigers today - wildlife trade involving Tibetans and other Himalayan communities - securing the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to act as a champion for wildlife protection.

Web: http://www.careforthewild.org

Contact KAT UK:
Tel: 01625 439666
Email: sales@katuk.co.uk
Web: http://www.katuk.co.uk

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Veka's Golfers Raise Cash for Kids Charity Farm Fund

Golf mad staff from Burnley-based VEKA plc have raised £3,000 for the Children's Adventure Farm Trust, a charity that provides holidays and respite care for disabled and disadvantaged children. More than 30 workers at the Burnley PVC-U factory managed to double last year's total when they teed up for the annual event, which was sponsored for the charity by a number of the company's suppliers.

Alistair Laing of the Children's Adventure Farm Trust (suited), with VEKA's David Jones, right, and other VEKA workers with the £3,000 cheque donated to the charity.

‘The sponsors were very generous,’ said David Jones, VEKA's Operations Director who organised the event, at Burnley Golf Club, along with his PA Carol Felters.

‘But the employees themselves added £500 to the total with just a collection and we also had some left from a draw at a recent trade show.’

Alistair Laing, Fundraising Manager for the Cheshire-based charity visited VEKA to receive the cheque. He told workers the organisation needs to raise over £700,000 a year with no government or statutory funding.

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UAP - Making a Difference in Nepal

Most of UAP's products are manufactured to the company’s own specification in China and India, and like many successful companies UAP believes that it has a social responsibility to the wider community. Managing Director David Jennings has committed UAP to sponsor the building of five township schools in Nepal over the next five years.

Nepal borders both India and China and has major cultural and commercial influences from both countries. However, the country having been in the grip of civil war for over 15 years, is poor in the extreme. More than half the population of a little over 26 million is unable to read or write, and this lack of education is having a serious impact upon the nation's ability to grow and develop.

UAP has teamed up with North West of England based charity DWCW which raises funds to assist with projects in Nepal, specifically in education and, most significantly, the recent immunisation program against TB, the number 1 killer in the area.

The location of Nepal bridges the two nations of India and China that supplies UAP, furthermore, Nepal has a long association with Britain, famously embodied in the Brigade of Gurkhas, a universally admired regiment that has seen service in many British conflicts around the globe since 1817 when troops from Nepal first enlisted in the East India Company's forces.

Building schools is a significant project that has real longevity, and UAP has committed to building a school a year for the next five years under the scheme title The UAP-Nepal Community Schools Project.

UAP's David Jennings says that, ‘We aim to set aside some of our profits for the building of these schools in Nepal. Our goal is for each school to be located in a different Nepalese township, and we aim for each school to educate up to 200 pupils a year. Each school will be run under the The UAP-Nepal Community Schools Project banner. As each school is built we will be providing the funds for desks and other essential school equipment. This project will make a real difference in the townships in which they are located and have major long term benefits for those communities.

‘We have chosen to commit to the school building project for the long term rather than build just a single school and leave it at that.’

Each school will be dedicated to the memory of individuals who are important to UAP staff. The first completed school will be dedicated to Philip Jennings, the late brother of David.

‘It is extremely satisfying to be able to dedicate schools in memory of people close to UAP staff’, continues David.

The completion of the project requires nothing from UAP's customers or suppliers.

David explains, ‘All we want our customers to do is to continue supporting UAP by buying our products. Not only are they buying great products at great prices, but the warm feeling they get from also supporting this great community project is completely free of charge.

‘In the future, once the education level is up to a standard, it is UAP's hope that we can assess the prospect of building our own manufacturing facility in the regions to provide ongoing employment and allow the people of Nepal to help themselves.’

David concludes, ‘UAP is proud to be able to undertake this project. It has given everyone at UAP and everyone connected with the company a real buzz of excitement and a sense of purpose. Many people want to be able to do something more useful and more purposeful than providing a simple donation of money, the bulk of which everyone realises, is dissipated by overheads. UAP is lucky to be teamed up with the DWCW as we all now feel a real sense of purpose and every one of our customers and suppliers will be doing their bit in supporting The UAP-Nepal Community Schools Project.’

Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com

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Construct Your Future and Build Lasting Relationships

In Britain it’s hard to imagine a world without the buildings that surround us. Houses, schools, hospitals and offices sit happily on the British landscape providing millions of people with the facilities they need to exist. However, many people across the world do not have access to this vital infrastructure.

Leading youth development charity Raleigh International works closely with developing countries, such as Costa Rica and Namibia, to provide people living in remote areas with the buildings they need, whilst simultaneously offering those that would like to volunteer the opportunity to become involved. Being able to share the experience of working on a project alongside those who will be using, working or living in the structure is what makes the challenge all the more satisfying.

Raleigh International is a charity that runs youth development programmes, both in the UK and overseas. Its overseas programmes constantly require skilled construction workers, carpenters and engineers to act as project managers in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Malaysia or Namibia. The key responsibilities of a Project Manager include working in a remote and secluded area with a team of young people from all over the world on vital infrastructure for a community that would otherwise go without. This is no small job and consequently is hugely rewarding.

John Wright volunteered as a project manager for a Raleigh International overseas programme. He said: 'The young volunteers learnt quickly and worked hard. There were tropical storms, suppliers were sometimes erratic and we had to sieve the sand when it arrived to get rid of the stones, but the school was completed on time. The opening ceremony was one of the proudest moments of my life.'

The challenge to a project manager is taking personal responsibility for a site, which is out of their usual working environment. They must also organise and manage a group of young people from a range of different backgrounds and cultures encouraging communication throughout. The project staff act as Raleigh International representatives within the community, and therefore must integrate with the local people by learning their traditions and customs. The sharing of tips and skills often breaks through language barriers, and provides volunteers with access to valuable knowledge they would rarely get the chance to acquire.

The construction industry and Raleigh International are closely linked, and it is through the development of this relationship that both sides can provide the other with the chance to learn and work outside of their typical parameters.

Raleigh International can provide construction workers with the opportunity to travel, either as a young volunteer or through a sabbatical whereby skilled construction workers can pass on their wisdom. There is also the opportunity for construction companies to become involved with the Motive8 programme, (designed to develop the skills and prospects of disadvantaged and socially excluded young people in the UK) and work closely within the communities they help construct, through sponsorship or employment. To become involved with this dynamic charity visit Raleigh International’s website at http://www.raleighinternational.org or call 020 7371 8585 and make your company the first to begin building a better future for the youth of today.

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Safestyle Comes to the Aid of Former Employee

After reading a heart breaking appeal in the local press, kind-hearted Safestyle UK, the uPVC independent window and door retailer, has come to the aid of a former employee suffering from motor neurone disease, a rapid and fatal condition which attacks the nervous system leaving the muscles unable to function.

Terminally ill Patrick Walsh, who is wheelchair bound and confined in his own home was unable to persuade Bradford City Council to provide an urgent grant towards a life enhancing wet room. Patrick, who lives in Baildon, West Yorkshire was told by the local Council that he would have to wait two years for the loan application to be processed, which gave him little chance of relief from a debilitating disease that kills up to half of its sufferers within 18 months.

Having heard the news, former work colleagues at Safestyle decided to step forward and offer their assistance, organising and funding the work needed to create a specifically designed wet room.

John Ross, Chairman and Chief Executive of Safestyle UK, explained:
'The problem was that Patrick's wife, Doris, was really struggling to bathe her husband without the aid of a wet room. When we read of Bradford City Council's inability to help in less than two years we felt that we needed to assist our former colleague, who was a much respected Salesman and Surveyor in the 1990's. Our company had the chance to address the problem and so were happy to offer help.'

After contacting a specialist company to organise the supply of the necessary fittings, Safestyle then organised a workforce to carry out the installation which consisted of a new boiler, bathroom fittings and a fully tiled water proof room with wheelchair access.

From initial designs to completion, the installation took less than three weeks - ensuring it was ready in time for Patrick's return home from hospital, his 77th Birthday and Christmas.

Doris, his wife of 47 years said 'It is truly amazing, the transformation is unbelievable and it will make such a difference to Patrick. I cannot believe how kind everyone at Safestyle has been'.

A spokesman for the Motor Neurone Disease Association added: 'It's amazing that Safestyle UK made such a generous offer to Patrick and it is a shame the Council has not done its part. There are many other sufferers similar to Mr Walsh and we are trying to get Councils to fast track applications for those diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. However it remains very difficult'.

Safestyle is now hoping their actions may help persuade Councils to do just that and review policies for processing grant applications for terminally ill patients.

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K2 Teams Together for Spanish Charity Run

Stuart Stokes, Commonwealth Games 3000 metre steeple chase runner for Great Britain, won the Benidorm half marathon last month having led a group of runners, sponsored by leading manufacturer of conservatory systems K2 Conservatory Systems Ltd.

'Team Redburn' travelled to Spain, in aid of Manchester's cancer research charity and hospital, Christies hospital, to take part in the popular event which attracted 1,687 runners. Having pulled together to raise an approximate total of £700 for the cancer research charity by taking part in the run, the icing on the cake for the team had to be Stuart's outstanding win on the day.

Ella Walsh of K2, has run in this annual Spanish event for three consecutive years and was delighted that she was able to run alongside Stuart Stokes as part of Team Redburn: ‘It's a great buzz to run the half marathon but it's even better if you can run it with a recognised sportsman like Stuart and watch him go on to win.’

K2's Managing Director, Sally Fielding comments: ‘K2 has enjoyed supporting Stuart Stokes in recent years and Christies is a charity close to all our hearts. All of the staff have been keen to get behind this venture and dig deep as most people are quick to support these events regardless of whether they themselves are directly involved. We look forward to continuing to support both Stuart and Christies for many years to come.’

Tel: 01204 554580

http://www.k2conservatories.com/site/trade/default.aspx

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Mission Possible for Outlook Windows

Touched by the plight of a young cancer victim, Harry and Loren Holgate of Cheltenham-based Outlook Windows undertook an extreme fundraising challenge recently, abseiling 160 ft from the top of town's tallest building.

The couple, along with their 16 year old daughter Rebecca, joined a team of 85 volunteers to undertake what they called Mission Possible to help raise money to send 11 year old Nikita Moore to Mexico for potentially life saving treatment.

With the support of their customers and suppliers including REHAU, Outlook raised £800 towards the overall total of £18,000.

Harry said: ‘We heard of Nikita's plight on the local radio and decided we could do something to help. The abseil was certainly a challenge but I'm proud of what we achieved and would like to thank all those who supported us.’

Outlook Windows is a specialist manufacturer of PVC-U vertically sliding windows in the REHAU-Heritage system. If you would like to make a donation to the fundraising appeal for Nikita, call Outlook direct on: 01242 232528.

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