Tamworth Blog

Crafts Time Group will be holding a craft event on Saturday 27th February, 2010 between 10am and 4pm
Entry 50p at the Phil Dix Centre, with all proceeds in going to the ST GILES HOSPICE.

ST Giles are a registered charity offering high-quality specialist medical and nursing care for people with cancer and other serious illnesses as well as providing support for their families and helpers.

The dedicated team provides individually-tailored care either at the hospice or in patients’ own homes across the region.

The range of specialist services is provided free of charge to all who need it. Although St Giles receives some funding from the Government, the charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising.

The hospice began its life at the former vicarage of St Giles Church in Whittington in 1983, when the then vicar the Reverend Paul Brothwell became concerned at the level of care given to terminally-ill patients in local hospitals.

Today, St Giles is a centre of excellence and one of the best-known and most respected charities in the region, with over 150 staff, 900 volunteers, thirteen charity shops, the most successful hospice lottery in the UK, and £4 million spent on providing care every year.

If you are in Tamworth town centre and are able to pop in on the day, that would be great, if not and you would like to support the event, please send your donation to :
9 Leonard House, 14 Silver Street, Tamworth, Staffs B79 7NH.

For more information contact Sue Flint Tel on – 07980650038

Members of the public show their support for Sport Relief by wearing his Sport Relief Socks and taking part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile; you can sign up at sportrelief.com.

Come on down to beautiful Tamworth Castle and take part in your Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile with hundreds of other local people. Pull on your running or walking shoes and complete your Mile in this picturesque setting. Tamworth will be hosting group warm-ups and you can also join in with a host of other activities all in aid of a good cause.
Enter the Mile, get sponsored and make a real day of it.

Sport Relief is back, and this time it’s from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March. The whole of the UK will come together to get active, raise cash and change lives.

It has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to make a difference – from David Walliams’ swim across the English Channel, to Eddie Izzard’s amazing marathon a day around the UK.

All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief
to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people,
both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.

The Sport Relief weekend is winging its way to you from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March – so get ready for three days of energy, entertainment and events including:

# A Friday of fundraising fun – the perfect excuse for a break from work or school to raise bags of cash.
# A Friday night of superb Sport Relief telly – and even more top TV across the whole weekend.
# Let’s Dance for Sport Relief – back on the TV by popular demand!
# The Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile – with events across the country on Sunday 21st March
# A mountain of special celebrity challenges to inspire the nation to rise to the challenge too.

All the money you raise for Sport Relief is spent by Comic Relief to help disadvantaged people, both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries, to turn their lives around.

Your fundraising cash might be spent helping kids in Africa get into primary school or supporting an isolated older person in the UK to meet other people so they feel less lonely. But one thing’s for sure – the money you raise will help to make the world of difference to people’s lives.

For Sport Relief 2010, there highlighting three of the many issues your cash will help to tackle – children who live on the streets or work in dangerous conditions, people affected by malaria and local UK projects.

There’s loads of incredibly simple ways to have fun, raise cash and change lives for Sport Relief.

By far the easiest way to get involved is to do the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. You can even choose your distance – 1, 3 or 6 miles – whichever’s a challenge for you.

To enter go to http://www.sportrelief.com/the-mile/find-a-mile
So be a part of it… Rise to the challenge for Sport Relief!

Light up a Life

Remember someone special this Christmas by taking part in St Giles Hospice’s ‘Light up a Life’.  The much loved and one of the most meaningful events in the Hospices calendar gives an opportunity to dedicate a message in memory of a loved one, which will be recorded in a Book of Memories that will be on display within the Hospice throughout 2010.

A poignant service will be held at four churches throughout the region, the closest to Tamworth being at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday December 13 at 6pm where people can gather to celebrate the loving memories of friends and family members.   During the service, lives being remembered will be symbolised by the turning on of a light.

Those who would like to ensure their memories of a loved one are included in the Book of Memories can submit them now, and are urged to get in touch with St Giles Hospice. This can be done by visiting the ‘Light up a Life’ website, by telephoning 01543 432538, or by picking up a leaflet at their local St Giles Hospice Shop, which can then be returned to the shop or to the hospice.

Peter Holliday, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, said:

“Light up a Life is a much-loved event which offers a special way to remember a loved one and record a heartfelt message or memory.

“Everyone is welcome to send in their memories, whether they have lost someone recently or some years ago, and regardless of whether or not they were cared for by St Giles.

“We also extend our welcome to everyone to come along to their local Light up a Life service of their choice, where they will see the lights dedicated to their loved ones switched on.”

Those who wish to take part are also invited to make a donation to the hospice to help them continue their work in supporting local people with cancer or other serious illnesses.

The Rewind Flyer - Kube Friday November 13

Kube Nightclub is set to open it’s doors for one night only in aid of the Poppy Fields Appeal, bringing the 80’s and 90’s back to life.

This all ticket event is being run by Kube which see’s the club opening for one night only on Friday November 13 will donate all proceeds towards to the Poppy Fields appeal which is raising money for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

The Poppy Fields Appeal was started when Poppy was diagnosed with a large brain tumour in 2004 when she was only 14 month’s old, during that time she has endured years of treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, all with a smile on her face.  The Poppy Fields Appeal was setup as a thank you to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the care Poppy received during her treatment.  Since the appeal was setup they have raised over £93,000 for the Children’s Hospital to help the treatment of other children with similar conditions to Poppy.

Nikki Evans with Poppy

Their next big fund raising event is the Rewind night which see’s Kube reopen it’s doors for this ticket only event.  All proceeds for this event will go to the Poppy Fields Appeal with Kube Nightclub waiving their fee’s.  The night will see some of the 80’s and 90’s best tunes played along with a very special performance from local X Factor and West End Star, Nikki Evans who will be performing during the night.

Lisa Guilder who has organised the event alongside Kube Nightclub said:

“This should be a night to remember and a great way of raising money for Poppy Fields and likewise the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“We hope that people will get into the spirit of the 80’s and 90’s and help us raise as much money as possible, all whilst having some fun and letting their hair down to the classics we grew up with.”

Tickets for the event are still on sale but selling fast and are priced at £7 each.  THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR.  You can get your tickets by visiting Strykers Pleasure Bowl, by emailing Lisa at Poppy Fields or by phoning Lisa on 07830 302 622.

Again, all proceeds from this event will go to Poppy Fields and to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Tamworth Blog will also be attending and we will be posting photos from the evening.

Winner Richard Stewart and his Pumpkin

A mystery pumpkin which was abandoned at Marmion House, Tamworth Borough Councils offices has raised over £70 for charity.

The pumpkin which was left at the council offices with a note saying ‘free to a good home’ was raffled amongst the staff with all proceeds going to the Mayors Charities, which this year are St Giles Hospice and the Air Ambulance.

A total of £73.70 was raised by the staff in Marmion House, the lucky winner of the raffle and the pumpkin was Richard Stewart in the Planning Department.

Tamworth Mayor, Cllr Gerry Pinner said:

“I would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at Tamworth Borough council that raised £73.70 for the Mayors charity which is to be split between some excellent causes.

“But more over the very generous donor for such a wonderful prize. And to Richard may your larder always be full of Pumpkin soup!”

Sheree Edwards, Steve Cowles and Linda Bridges

Two managers from Tamworth’s branch of Jewson have raised over £700 for St Giles Hospice with two hair raising stunts for the Whittington based Hospice.

Jewson Tamworth Branch Manager, Steve Cowles pledged to dye his hair the colour of the winning team in the ‘Jewson of Tamworth League’ after colleagues and customers pledged £1 per point to push their favourites up the table.  The winning team (thanks to some sympathetic sponsors) were Norwich City, the team Steve supports. He admits though that it was a close shave between the pink of Barcelona’s new away shirt or the tangerine of Blackpool.

Steve said:

“All the odd looks I’ll be getting over the next few days will be worth it for the money we have raised for such a good cause, and we’re very grateful to everyone who has sponsored us in our ventures over the past few months.”

Steve’s colleague, Andrew Wallbank who is Assistant Manager at Jewson though opted for the hair raising sponsored parachute jump.  He made a tandem dive from more than 10,000ft, accelerating to 120mph before deploying the parachute and falling safely to the ground.

Steve continued:

“Andrew’s been extremely calm in the run-up to his skydive – in fact, with his target sponsorship raised for the ‘Together’ campaign he’s been really looking forward to it.

“I have to admit, when you get to my age, the medical certificate becomes too pricey for a charity parachute jump, but dyeing your hair is something us over-50s can do!”

The pair took on their challenges as part of the nationwide ‘Together‘ campaign which helps local hospices and charities.

Linda Bridges, Corporate Fundraiser at St Giles Hospice congratulated the two men and said:

“We’re delighted by the extraordinary lengths people like Steve and Andrew will go to in support of their local hospice, and would like to thank them on behalf of our carers and patients.

“By fundraising throughout the year or generously volunteering their time, local people make an enormous difference to their hospice community.”

Pop a raffle ticket on your shopping list and help St Giles Hospice continue to provide high levels of care for local people.

St Giles Hospice have launched their new raffle offering entrants the chance to win up to £5,000.

Following on from the success of the Summer raffle where over £50,000 was raised for the Hospice who provide care to those dealing with cancer and other serious illnesses throughout the region, this new raffle offers you a chance to become one of the winners.  During the summer, St Giles handed out winnings to some 300  participants, totalling £13,000.

Richard Simmonite, Commercial Manager of St Giles Hospice Lottery said:

“Our Summer Raffle raised over £50,000 and we hope the Magical Winter Raffle will be even more successful, providing vital funds to support the future work of the hospice.

“The Magical Winter Raffle is a wonderful way to lift spirits and we are encouraging everyone to include tickets on their Christmas shopping lists for friends and family. They will also make a great Secret Santa gift for work.

“By purchasing this special gift you will be supporting the hospice and may also find you have given someone you know an amazing jackpot present!”

The Magical Winter Raffle winners will be drawn on January 7 2010 when another 300 tickets will win between £5 and £5,000.

Raffle tickets are available from the St Giles Hospice shop on Little Church Lane, directly from the Hospice in Whittington, by calling 0845 370 6580 or requesting tickets online.  Tickets are priced at £1 each.

Ride to the Wall Flyer

Over 3,000 Bikers will descend on Drayton Manor Park this weekend to begin the “Ride to the Wall” which will see motorcyclists from all over the country drive in convoy from the theme park through Tamworth to the National Arboretum all in aid of the National Arboretum.

The bikers will be descending on Drayton Manor from 8am in the morning on Saturday October 10 and will be leaving in groups to travel to the National Arboretum just outside Alrewas from 11am.  The route will be well marshalled but you can expect increased traffic along the route.  Drivers are advised all over Tamworth and between Tamworth and Alrewas to “Think Bike”.

Last years Ride to the Wall raised over £10,000 for the Arboretum and organisers hope this years will raise as much.

The event see’s the riders ride to the Arboretum in convoy to attend a memorial service at the Arboretum and this year there will also be a flypast from a Spitfire, all to honour our heroes.

For more information about the Ride to the Wall you can visit their website at http://www.rttw.org.

A brave Tamworth mother of two has walked down catwalk in Birmingham, proving that there is life after Breast Cancer.

Maria Parr, a 54 year old woman from Tamworth, needed a full mastectomy and re-constructive surgery after being diagnosed 2 years ago.  But she is now ready to strut her stuff and yesterday she sashayed down the catwalk at the Grovsenor Hotel on Park Lane as part of the Breast Cancer Care’s Annual Fashion Show.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail before the event she said:

“When you hear such a dreaded diagnosis, you cannot describe the feeling of utter devastation and the effect it has on you, your family and your friends.

“Coping with the surgery, the treatment and not knowing what lies ahead is an emotional rollercoaster that takes over your life, but with support of your loved ones, you find an extraordinary strength.

“Taking part in this fashion show will be wonderful and something I would never imagined having the confidence to do.”

Alexon Brands Shop in Tamworth - Pic: Pauletter Francessca Sedgwick

Tamworth and District Friends of St Giles Hospice are holding a Ladies fashion show on November 17th 2009. It will be held at The Coton Centre, Comberford Road, Tamworth, B79 9AA.

Jane Hatton one of the Models for the fashion show said:

” The fashion show is exclusively produced by the Tamworth branch of Alexon Fashions, which includes: ‘The Kaliko” – ”Minuet” – ”Alex & Co” – and ”Eastex Labels”.

All proceeds will go towards the care and comfort of patients at St Giles Hospice. Were hoping it will be a fun and enjoyable night, we look forward to seeing a good turn out for an excellent charity”.

Doors open 6pm and  the fashion show starts 7pm. Entrance by tickets only which are £5.00 They can,t be purchased on the door on the night. Raffle and refreshment will be available.

Tickets are available from Alxon Fashions34 George Street, Tamworth. Telephone 01827 – 310041 or you can call Peter Stinton Telephone 07773 337028