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In the Frame - Safestyle Supports New Cancer Support HQ

Safestyle UK, part of The Style Group, the UK's largest independent PVCu window manufacturer and retailer has agreed to support Bradford Cancer Support Group's latest £1.1m Daisy Appeal, which was launched recently to raise funds to finance the purchase of new, larger premises.

Bradford-based Safestyle will donate the windows and doors for the new Support Centre, which has already outgrown two previous headquarters first in the city centre and, for the last 11 years, opposite the Bradford Royal Infirmary in Duckworth Lane. Now it has found a new site nearby which includes a row of cottages known as ‘The Old Farm’ and a larger more modern building alongside called ‘The Barn’. The move is being underwritten by the Daisy Appeal, which aims to raise £1.1m backed up by the generosity of local and national businesses, as well as individuals.

Chief Executive John Ross (Left) and fellow Style Group UK Director Brendan McCambridge (Right) examining plans for the new Bradford Cancer Support Unit.

Safestyle UK, whose headquarters are also in Bradford, was so impressed that it has agreed to donate all the windows for the new and refurbished buildings, which are desperately required to help meet demand following its increasing popularity and success.

John Ross, Chief Executive of Style Group, explained: ‘We are always conscious of the work of charities and similar support organisations in Bradford because of our own long association with the city and when we were made aware of the Daisy Appeal we immediately realised it was a most worthy cause. We have a strong customer base in the city and it is appropriate that we do all we can to help its health care organisations.

‘The Bradford Cancer Support is a very necessary and successful organisation and deserves all the help and encouragement people and business in the area can give. Hopefully our market-leading products will be the best way to reflect our support.’

Maureen Burns, spokesperson for BCS added: ‘This will be our second move but it is necessary and urgent because the present premises opposite the Royal Infirmary are much overcrowded which has an immediate effect on waiting lists. Our present lease expires in 2007 so the launching and success of the Daisy Appeal is essential to the successful future of our support group.

‘We are most grateful to businesses such as Safestyle for showing such enthusiasm and generosity because we need to ensure our new premises are not just big enough but also suitable for our type of medical support and care. The windows in the new buildings have to be of a high quality, easy to operate and maintain and so the Safestyle products will, I am sure, be ideal. It was important we stayed close to the city's main hospital where patients and their families can be made aware of us and that we provide a centre where people can meet each other, feel supported and have access to all services.’

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Not Arf bad for Lister’s Staff!

The Potters Arf Marathon has just taken place in Stoke on Trent with over 1,100 runners taking part. Three of those brave, and fit, runners were staff from Lister Trade Frames.

The course is a very demanding 13.5-mile loop of the city, starting and finishing in Hanley town centre, and to add to the pain the temperatures were very high on the race day.

Mark Woolridge centre, Pete Denson left and Andrew Pusey right

All three lads finished the race and one of them was particularly to be praised as he had raised a staggering (pardon the pun) £800 for a local charity.

Mark Woolridge, one of Lister’s order processors, was running on behalf of the Northwood Day Care Centre.

The Centre provides help and support within the local community for the infirm and elderly. It carries out tasks on a voluntary basis from things like a simple hair cut at home to arranging a recreational day out in its own minibus. The Centre provides activities which promote social and mental stimulation and offers support to members and their families.

Mark was rather shattered by the end of the race, but he knew that he was running for a good cause and the money raised has certainly helped the centre to continue to provide a valuable community service.

Tel: 01782 205605
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

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GM Fundraising Boosted by Mighton

The annual GM Fundraising Gala Dinner, held 17th June 2006, raised over £50,000 for Hope House, a charity providing palliative care and support to terminally ill children and their families.

Mike Derham, Managing Director of Mighton Products, the sash window hardware specialist, donated a luxury holiday on the Caribbean island of Tobago and is amazed with the generosity of the winning bid.

‘When I made the offer I thought it would help raise a bit more, but the level of generosity surprised me, with the winning bid reaching £15,000.

'Because of this, I made a phone call and managed to extend the holiday from seven to 10 nights. More importantly, to raise a total of over £50,000 on the night is great and makes a big difference to those in need.

'The success of this year's dinner means that I'm definitely going to be involved in next year's event.’

Tel: 01223 497097
Email: sales@mighton.co.uk
Website: http://www.mightonproducts.com

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MPH Windows Helps Charity Bring Sunshine into Kids’ Lives

A Lancashire window fabricator and installer has made a big difference to the lives of some of Europe’s most underprivileged children by supporting the work of International Aid Trust, a UK charity which provides much needed holidays for disadvantaged kids across Eastern Europe.

Preston based MPH Windows has been working with the charity since 2004 when it flew a team of installers out to Myaki in Ukraine to fit new PVC windows at one of its children’s holiday centres on the Black Sea coast. International Aid Trust wanted to replace the dilapidated timber framed windows to improve comfort for children, carers and staff but until MPH stepped forward, the charity simply could not afford to carry out this work.

The new Sheerframe high performance PVC windows for the 68 rooms, plus corridors, communal areas and the kitchens, have transformed the building according to Revd Rtn Bernard Cocker, who founded International Aid Trust 15 years ago.

'Temperatures can be so extreme in Myaki, from -30 degrees Celsius in winter to plus 40 in summer,' says Bernard. 'This means the windows play a hugely important role in providing a comfortable environment for the children and carers, who are, of course, at the centre to enjoy a much needed holiday. We are therefore, extremely grateful to MPH for their help at Myaki and their continued support and it is particularly pleasing that we – as a Lancashire charity - have the backing of a local Lancashire firm, we could not have done it without you.'

Assistance from companies like MPH is vital for International Aid Trust to succeed in achieving its aims. The charity gives 4000 children, many of whom are orphaned, disabled or homeless, from countries including Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Romania a break from their challenging lives every year.

The MPH team has recently been back to the centre to fit new windows in an extension to the building which enables wheelchair access, allowing even more children to enjoy a holiday there. And closer to home, MPH has just installed new windows at the charity’s Preston headquarters, further helping the International Aid Trust to use its resources where they are most desperately needed.

Stephen Moss of MPH Windows says, 'We are delighted to be involved with the fantastic work that International Aid Trust is doing both in Ukraine and here in the UK. We understand how new windows can transform buildings and we can proudly say that the children’s centre in Myaki now has amongst the best performing windows in the whole of Ukraine!'

In addition to its work in Eastern Europe, international Aid Trust provides long-term care to underprivileged people in the UK and overseas including Asia and Africa. Providing immediate relief to countries including places affected by the tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake amongst others is another vital role that the charity fulfils.

The organisation relies on charitable donations to provide everything from children’s holidays and hospital equipment, through to rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol abuse and support for destitute families via a sponsored family programme. Further information on how to help the charity is available at http://www.internationalaidtrust.org.uk.

Caption: (Left) Revd Rtn Bernard Cocker, founder and director of International Aid Trust with contracts manager of Preston-based MPH Windows Stephen Moss.

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Roofwright Team Tackles the Roof of Britain for Charity

RoofWright, the conservatory design package, may have scaled the heights of success within the industry, but later this year the team behind the highly praised software solution will be scaling heights of a much more perilous nature, all for good causes.

That's because, on September 15th and 16th, the staff of RPS Ltd, the company behind RoofWright and new systems management suite Rapidity, will be tackling the infamous 3 Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity.

The challenge involves climbing the highest peaks in England (Scafell - 978m), Scotland (Ben Nevis - 1344m) and Wales (Snowdon - 1085m) over the course of 24 hours, a task which not only involves many hours of walking, but 500 miles of driving between peaks.

The charities benefiting from the RoofWright expedition will be Manchester Kids (http://www.manchesterkids.com/), which works to help disadvantaged youngsters in the area surrounding the RPS offices in the North West, and Practical Action (http://www.itdg.org), which aims to provide lasting solutions to international poverty through the humanitarian application of technology.

These two deserving causes will share 75% of the funds raised equally between them, with the remaining 25% distributed among charities personally supported by RPS staff.

The challenge represents the first to be undertaken by the newly formed RPS Charitable Trust, an on-going fundraising initiative by the company which confirms its commitment to socially responsible business practices.

RPS Commercial Director Richard Spencer said: 'The idea came about at an excitable curry house get-together during Glassex, as a challenge to our team spirit and willingness to go the extra mile. Our software wizards are now trying to turn into rugged mountain monsters, which is no easy task as it involves more salad and less curry! Please sponsor us - we are supporting great charities and need all the extra motivation we can get!'

Anyone wishing to sponsor the RoofWright team should contact Lorraine Beckingham on 0161 426 0465 or visit the RPS 3 Peaks Challenge website at http://www.rpsys.co.uk/3peaks

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Another Step Forward For KnK

On the 21st May 2006 Sue Bentley, Commercial Administrator at Kash 'n' Karry Sealed Units Ltd completed the Race For Life for Cancer Research, a distance of 5km.

Sue asked customers and Suppliers of the company based in Rowley Regis for Sponsorship. To date the amount raised by Sue is £350 and still coming in.

‘My aim was to raise £100 for Cancer Research to meet last year's figure of £110. To have raised so much is fantastic!

'The money will continue to aid the research into such an awful disease which in one way or another has affected all of our lives.

'A big thank you goes out to all of those that supported me for this year's event.’ says Sue.

Sue's next project is to run the half Marathon in Wolverhampton on the 3rd September to raise funds for St John Ambulance.

She is an active member of the brigade helping younger members of the organisation achieve First Aid skills. All work carried out by St John Ambulance is completely voluntary.

All at Kash 'n' Karry congratulate Sue on her achievement and wish her luck for her future project.

For any information contact Sue or Peter on Tel: 01384 568568

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GAP Donates Tools for African Charity Project

The Liverpool GAP PVC-U Warehouse recently supported customer D Cappell Joinery and Maintenance on a charity project in Africa. PVC Stockist GAP supplied hand tools, tape measures and t-shirts for the trip to build a new school.

Dave Cappell, owner of Cappell Joinery, explains what they did: ‘There were eleven volunteers and we were in Arusha, Tanzania for nearly three weeks. We built two classrooms, an office and two sets of toilets as well as organising a water pipe from the main road.

‘We went to several of our suppliers with a list of what we needed to complete the project. And they donated what we asked for. A project like this depends on many people giving time, tools and products free of charge. Everyone from the village worked alongside us.

‘As well as the building work we arranged for the water company to lay a pipe to the village, but first the quarter mile trench had to be dug. It took four men a whole day to complete, and it makes a big difference to so many lives. The villagers now have pumped water, and a purpose built school and toilets.

‘We would like to say thank you to GAP for helping us help the people of Arusha.’

Tel: 01254 682888

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Mighton's Charity Begins in Tobago

This weekend luminaries from the fenestration industry, attending the GM Fundraising Gala Dinner, get the chance to bid for a stunning week's break on the paradise island of Tobago courtesy of Mighton Products, the sash window hardware specialist.

Mike Derham, Managing Director of Mighton, says chequebooks should be at the ready: 'We think a special charity, such as GM Fundraising, deserves as much support as possible. Raising money doesn't have to be hard work or boring - as I think will be evident by the fancy dress on Saturday night. With this in mind, we believe that the best way to contribute to GM Fundraising is to donate a week's holiday on a tropical island in a private five star villa. The winning bidder will find that Tobago is a great place to begin charity.'

Tel: 01223 497097
Website: www.mightonproducts.com
Email: sales@mighton.co.uk

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The Burnden Group Keeps on Track with Charity Teamwork

Five fitness fans from K2's parent company, The Burnden Group, have added another success to the company's enviable charity track record by completing a 10km run for cancer charity, Christie's.

The five runners, led by team organiser and Burnden Group Health & Safety Manager, Mark Bray, raised a total of £817 for the appeal, which helps to fund Manchester's world-famous Christie Hospital. The Burnden Group supported the team's efforts in the race on 23rd April by paying their entry fees for the event at Bolton's Levenshulme Park.

Commented Managing Director of K2, Sally Fielding: ‘The Burnden Group encourages all its employees to take an active role in the local community, and this latest charity initiative once again demonstrates the team culture that permeates all aspects of our business.

‘We are very proud that Mark and his colleagues entered 'Team Burnden Group' for the race and were delighted to be able to support the effort by paying the entry fees. The team's excellent efforts in training, running and fundraising add to an impressive catalogue of charity successes for staff here at The Burnden Group.’

The five-strong team of Mark Bray, Sheena Corners, Mark Slater, Helge Wonsbek and Malte Nielsen endured a rigorous training programme, before joining other runners to complete the challenge on Sunday 23rd April.

Commented Mark Bray: ‘We had great fun getting fit during training and the whole event provided an excellent team-building exercise outside of the work environment. We are very excited to have raised such a substantial amount for Christie's and all we have to do now is keep our fitness levels up for our next charity run!’