charity

West Midlands charity receives donation from Amazon

Amazon has provided nearly £50,000 worth of donations to a West Midlands charity that helps child victims of domestic violence. The Buddy Bag Foundation provides essential items for children entering emergency care. Employees from Amazon UK’s delivery station and fulfilment centre network volunteered to pack Buddy Bags in the lead up to Christmas. The bags contain 12 essential items including pyjamas, underpants, vests, toiletries, stationery, books, and a knitted toy or Buddy Bear, which the Foundation then supplies to children who often have to leave their homes at the last minute. Amazon donated enough items to make 1,800 Buddy Bags, […]

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Cancer support centre in hunt for new home after price rise forces move

A centre which supports people with cancer across the West Midlands has launched an urgent hunt for a new base after a huge increase in fees meant it could no longer stay in its home of 11 years. The Cancer Support Centre in Sutton Coldfield has around 500 clients, with an army of volunteers and a team of specialist therapists who help them deal with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. The centre offers therapy and wellbeing sessions, information, advice and a friendly safe space for people looking for reassurance or support. The charity was set up 21 years ago

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Campaign to save Christmas for struggling families

When she heard that a parent had decided not to tell her children it was Christmas day because she couldn’t afford presents, the headteacher of a Wolverhampton nursery school knew she had to do something to help. Natalie Showell launched the Christmas in a Box scheme, providing boxes of food treats and gifts, and this year she hopes to help 100 families who might otherwise struggle. Natalie, aged 36, is the head teacher at Low Hill Nursery, in Jenks Avenue. She and her staff had been helping families in the Low Hill area on a small scale for many years,

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Business’s big ‘thank you’ to suppliers for support over lockdown

A business launched in lockdown has said a special thank you to all the suppliers that helped it thrive during such a difficult period. Bosses at Elevate FM threw a big party for around 35 suppliers and their guests to thank them for their support and service. Dave Warren, director of the Birmingham-based facilities management company, said: “We invited all the people that have helped us over the past 12 months. We wanted them to feel appreciated and part of the team. “It’s easy for people to thank their customers, but people forget about the people who have helped you

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Mum publishes late daughter’s beloved bedtime story in her honour

A proud mum has published a fun bedtime story her late daughter crafted — almost a year after she died of Covid.  Norma Cooper, aged 83, has worked hard over the last few months to ensure the story that her late daughter wrote is turned into a book.  Her daughter, Dawn Downes of Atherstone, Warwickshire, died aged 60 in February this year.  Norma said that Dawn had always made-up bedtime stories for Maddie, her granddaughter, now 11, including one about Annie the Ant. The story features guest appearances from both Dawn and Maddie.  Norma said: “Maddie used to love the Annie

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Young blood wanted for Round Table group

Young men in Wolverhampton are being urged to sign up for the area’s Round Table group to ensure it can continue its vital community work. Tettenhall Round Table chairman Shiv Passap wants to double the number of people involved in the group and is appealing to young men who may not realise what the group has to offer. He said joining up offered men as young as 18 a great opportunity to gain life skills and give back to the local community. “Once our members get to 45 they move on, so it’s vital that we get new, younger members

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Drive to tackle community isolation after lockdown

People left isolated or lonely during the Covid pandemic are being offered a lifeline as a project to bring them together expands. SNJ Charitable Trust, based in Wolverhampton, has increased its Chat and Chai Bringing People Together sessions, with one now taking place every day. Bringing People Together (BTP) is a network designed to connect people and was set up by the organisation Transforming Communities Together (TCT). TCT, which covers Staffordshire, the Black Country and north Shropshire, set up BPT after the success of its Places of Welcome initiative, where members of the community are invited to get together at

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Training plan to bridge the ‘digital divide’

People in Bilston will be offered free training in how to use technology as part of a new drive to ‘bridge the digital divide’. The SNJ Charitable Trust, based in Wolverhampton, found that the Covid pandemic had had a huge impact on some communities in the area. And many had a fear of computers and digital technology, leaving them isolated and unable to access vital services. SNJ founder Neena Julka said: “We identified a big need and found people could not use digital technology to connect to each other or use the internet to access essential health or care services.

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Run For Joel colour blast fun run is back

The Smile For Joel charity run returns to Sandwell Valley Country Park this year and entries are now open. Run For Joel will take place on Sunday, September 5, starting at 9am. There will be a 5k and a 3k option to suit all ages and abilities. Last year the run was held remotely, with people taking part at home because of Covid. This year the runners can attend in person again and there will be a colour blast, back by popular demand. The event will raise money for Smile For Joel, the charity set up by Suzy Evans and

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Family members join skydive challenge in memory of Tunisia terror attack victims

Family members and friends of the 38 people who died in the Tunisia terrorist attack in 2015 will be jumping out of a plane to honour their memories and mark the sixth anniversary of the tragedy.  The skydive will be held on July 3, just after the June 26 anniversary, and will raise money for Smile For Joel, the charity set up by Suzy Evans and her son Owen Richards who lost three loved ones in the attack.  Suzy and Owen will be joined by family members of other victims from across the UK for the event. Suzy, from Wednesbury in the West Midlands, lost her son Joel,

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