There’s lots of updates from the Wrexham Charities in this article!
Volunteer Celebration 2022
Firstly, Groundwork North Wales (GNW) celebrated their volunteers’ fantastic work with a Volunteer Celebration event at Venue in the Park at Alyn Waters Country Park.
The guests included volunteers from all the GNW groups (Refurbs, Wild Ground, and Pedal Power). The event was extra special. It was the first time since 2019 they had managed to bring all the volunteers together due to the pandemic.
Nearly 750 volunteers engaged in various activities across the GNW group from 2021 to 2022, amassing 15,143 hours.
Trustee Stan Moore and Head of Programmes and Partnerships Lorna Crawshaw presented all the volunteers in attendance with a certificate and small gift in recognition of all their hard work and dedication.
Two additional certificates for “Exceptional commitment and support” went to Martin Redhead and Tony Watkin. Martin volunteers for Wild Ground and the Groundwork North Wales “Our Backyard” project. Offering valuable hours to maintain nature reserves, green spaces and also sharing his fantastic biodiversity knowledge with volunteers and staff. Tony volunteers for the GNW Woodshed project, the Refurbs Bike Recycling project and repair sessions, and Pedal Power, the all-ability cycling service.
All the Praises
Group CEO Karen Balmer said: “Volunteers are a key part of everything we achieve here at Groundwork North Wales. They bring skills, advice, and experience to our projects and give their valuable time to benefit the wider community. So today, we sincerely thank them for their commitment and time.”
Lorna Crawshaw echoed these thoughts by saying, “today was about celebrating our volunteers and their fantastic work across North Wales. We couldn’t do it without you.”
GNW offers opportunities in many different areas. Whether you’re looking to gain work experience, broaden your horizons, fulfil your passion for environmental issues. Or just want to give a few hours a week to a cause that benefits your community.
You can find more information on volunteering with GNW at groundowkrnorthwales.org.uk or on Social Media @GwkNorthWales.
Tim Foreman Completes Gruelling Hope House Charity Ride!
Secondly, Mortgage broker Tim Foreman has ridden 75km across Staffordshire on a mountain bike as part of a charity ride for Hope House!
Tim Foreman, 50, was supposed to only do 60km, but he had to ride a little further due to the removal of some road signs! He thanks all his sponsors, but points out that you can still donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/ tim-foreman2.
Tim rode through forests, along roads and across fields to raise money for the children’s hospice. He came across the fantastic work that Hope House does to improve the lives of families with seriously ill children. Whilst seeking a charity with which to partner his business, bemybroker.org.uk. Tim persuaded the gruelling Giant Challenge event in Stafford to allow him to raise money for Hope House rather than the event’s appointed charity.
Tim recently re-branded his local mortgage and insurance business, Be My Broker Ltd, but didn’t wish to solely focus on growing his business in the usual manner. He wanted to help his local community at the same time. Having a 5-year old daughter meant that he could empathise with and understand the objectives set down by Hope House.
Tim has had two operations on his left knee. It left him unable to pursue many activities he enjoys, e.g. football, squash. But cycling is one activity he can pursue, although his knee has seen many an ice pack along the way since increasing his typical distance from 15 to 56 Kilometres in a matter of a few months!
Incredible support
“The families who will receive the help from the funds I raised, will be going through a lot more pain than me.”
“I can’t run any longer due to a bad knee, so I wanted to do something amazing like this before I get too old.”
Cat Dowdeswell, fundraiser at Hope House said: “More than 80% of the money we need to provide vital care and support for children at Hope House Children’s Hospices comes from wonderful supporters like Tim. If people out there didn’t do these amazing challenges, we quite simply would not be here”
If you have been inspired by Tim why not join our Cycle Challenge in August and raise money to support seriously ill local children.
Nightingale Thanks Royal Run Schools
Thirdly, Nightingale House Hospice has thanked schools and sponsors for supporting a fun run event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and raise over £10,000 for patient care.
Of the ten schools which took part, Rhosddu School, Wrexham raised the most money – £2,076.61. The other schools and nurseries taking part were
- Watt’s Dyke Primary School
- Gwenfro CP School
- St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
- Ysgol Estyn
- Goftyn Cp School
- Ysgol Glan Aber
- Dandelions Day Nursery
- Abermorddu CP School
- Ysgol Y Waun
Together, they raised a fantastic combined £10,196.60 for the hospice.
The schools held their sponsored Royal Runs on schoolyards at a date and time that suited them – usually combining them with other jubilee celebrations, such as tea parties and lunches. Every student taking part also received their very own crown to decorate.
As a reward, Rhosddu School received a special visit on 8th July from some friendly dinosaurs, including a Velociraptor, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex for an interactive lesson courtesy of Jurassic Live Wrexham.
Plenty of Praise
Rhosddu School Deputy Head Teacher Thomas Owen said: “We were thrilled to hear our school had raised the most money for such a fantastic cause. The children were excited to have a visit from “Jurassic Live Wrexham”, and we can’t thank our children and families enough for supporting this event. It just proves how close and supportive our local community is.”
Gavyn Edwards from sponsors Excell Supply added: “Excell Supply were equally excited and nervous to be invited to join Rhosddu in their Jurassic Live experience! The pupils worked extremely hard to raise such an incredible amount of money for a worthy cause on their doorstep.
Catrin Harris, Excell’s School Account Manager, said: “We are incredibly grateful to be invited to Rhosddu to join them in their well-deserved win! Jurassic Live put on a fantastic show and the school really does deserve it! An incredible achievement.”
Sam Amis, Hospice Community and Events Fundraiser said: “On behalf of Nightingale House Hospice, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the students, teachers and parents who helped to make the Royal Run a success. We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from the community once again, and we cannot thank you all enough.”
About Nightingale House Hospice
Nightingale House hospice services are available to everyone living with a life-limiting illness in its catchment area. Their services are completely free-of-charge, to patients and their families across our catchment area. Stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns, including Oswestry and Whitchurch.
Most running costs are met through fundraising and other income generation channels. Including its onsite café and retail outlets that significantly contribute to maintaining services for those with life-limiting illnesses within palliative care. It costs £4,041,617 each year to run Nightingale House Hospice.
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