• A gifted gymnast’s cry for help to secure Olympic glory
• The Puzzle Centre seeks new corporate partners
• NAPA after trustees to join board
• Chilterns MS Centre’s Walk the MS Mile is Back!
• Hold a life-changing BBQ in aid of Age UK Buckinghamshire
• Autumn Ball to raise money for unpaid family carers in Buckinghamshire

A gifted gymnast’s cry for help to secure Olympic glory

Picture the scene. Jack O’Brien at the Olympics 2024, standing on the podium, shiny medal around his neck, a beaming smile from a young man making history on the global stage. An image frozen to melt the heart of a nation. A legend in his time. A talented gymnast who fulfilled his dreams and became one of Britain’s brightest stars; an inspiration to millions in the UK, who one day too, will hope to take on the world and emerge victorious.

But Jack harbours a secret. He desperately wants his dad there to see his incredible feat and share his unparalleled joy. But he isn’t in the stadium. He isn’t in the country. He isn’t even back home in Britain watching it on TV. He isn’t anywhere.

Jack’s father died earlier this year leaving a young boy of 14 devastated and heartbroken. How did this affect him? There are no words. Just the wheels of the universe continuing to turn and a teenage boy bewildered by how the fates aligned to leave him shattered, silent and withdrawn.

But Jack picked himself up and remembered his talent; remembered that at the age of seven he did a few flips and tricks at a birthday party and was later invited to Booker Gym where his progress led all the way to Team GB and a silver medal at the Loule Cup in Portugal in 2016.

Now he wants to go further. All the way to Olympic glory. But he can only do that – to become the best Power Tumbler in the world – if he is helped on the way with financial support which has now spiralled to £20,000-a-year to subsidise the cost of travel and attending national competitions. He is not ashamed of saying it. He needs your help. A boy without a dad always needs help, particularly in his formative years.

Throughout this time, Jack’s mother Tina and his brother Liam have been a tower of strength for the family. They have helped Jack cope with his loss; their loss. Tina, as Jack is always proud to point out, has been an incredible rock of support with her funding and financial help from her teaching job – and there have also been many acts of kindness from the local community with their grants and donations.

But these can only get Jack so far. He needs more. Jack will not receive Lottery or government funding until he turns 18 in 2021. So as he heads for the Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT Championships in September and the World Age Group Championship in Bulgaria in November, he is asking the Buckinghamshire Business First membership for help in realising his dream in becoming an Olympic gold medallist - because businesses, companies, individuals all ultimately benefit from the shared experience, that moment of joy, that lasting legacy that makes the nation stand tall again and makes it an attractive proposition.

So please help Jack on his way to the podium. He is doing his bit – by getting his numb body into a graceful rhythm again after his father’s death – and now hopes the generosity of Buckinghamshire business’s will see him over the line and get him to the promised land of 24-carat glory in Olympic year.

You can donate through Jack’s Just Giving page, and follow his progress on his Facebook page.

For a breakdown of the yearly costs, or any other queries please send an email to Jairo Rojas, who is kindly donating his time as an agent, at [email protected].

The Puzzle Centre seeks new corporate partners

Buckinghamshire-based charity, Puzzle Centre delivers an innovative service for children in their early years who have autism or other communication difficulties. The charity also provides valuable support to their families and delivers training courses for parents and professionals.

The charity is seeking new corporate partners who can help promote the positive benefits of early intervention, as well as raise funds to help children with autism develop vital communication, social and emotional skills that can transform their futures.

The Puzzle Centre has been the charity partner of TSB Winslow for two years; a partnership which has enabled both organisations to raise their profile in the local community. Staff from TSB Winslow have been involved in a range of fundraising and volunteering activities in support of the charity.

If you would like to find out more about Puzzle Centre and how working together could lead to mutually positive achievements, contact Anna or Clare at [email protected].

Visit http://www.puzzlecentre.org.uk/support-us/corporate for more information.

NAPA after trustees to join board

The National Activity Organisers Association (NAPA) is a national charity based in Amersham which helps older people who are receiving care to lead a more meaningful and fulfilled life.

“Our aim is that all care homes are full of life, love and laughter,” says Sue Trischitta, NAPA. “We have 3,000 member care homes and we offer training, information and support to front line care staff. We are a small, influential and award winning organisation (just 5 staff), led by an enthusiastic and talented Board of Trustees.

“We are currently looking for a Treasurer to join the Board to help us with our finances. We have a small turnover - around £300,000 p.a. and about half that amount in reserves and we employ a very able member of staff who manages the accounting (income, expenditure, payroll etc). We also use a local accountancy firm who audit and advise us.

“However, we are looking to enhance the Board with someone who can offer some expertise in every day financial matters (checking budget reports, advising on financial planning etc.). It is a voluntary role (expenses only), and entails attending 3 or 4 Trustee meetings a year which take place on a weekday in London. Other events (conferences and gala events) are not obligatory.

“We need someone with a background in finance/business, but not necessarily an accountant. It would be helpful if you also had an interest in improving the quality of life for older people. Being a Treasurer for a nationally recognised charity is also a good career step, or will provide a rewarding retirement experience.”

To find out more, or express an interest, please contact NAPA Chair Steve Reynolds either by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 07872 027768.

Chilterns MS Centre’s Walk the MS Mile is Back!

Walk the MS Mile is the Chilterns MS Centre’s largest annual awareness and fundraising event. Since its inception in September 2015, it has raised £91,500 for the independent, Wendover-based charity and doubled the number of referrals received from people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Everyone is welcome to take part in Walk the MS mile, a series of accessible one mile sponsored walks, taking place in 5 towns this year:

• Saturday 9 September, 10.30am, Berkhamsted
• Saturday 16 September, 10.30am , Beaconsfield
• Saturday 16 September, 3pm, High Wycombe
• Saturday 23 September, 10.30am, Aylesbury
• Saturday 23 September, 3pm, Marlow

Many people with MS are unable to take part in physical sponsored challenges. Walking a mile – or using a walking frame or a motorised wheelchair – is something many people can and are pleased to do. Walk the MS Mile is filling a gap in the sponsored event market. All money raised will go to providing vital practical, social and emotional support to enable people to gain greater control over their MS so they can lead happy and healthy lives.

Register online at www.walktheMSmile.org.

Hold a life-changing BBQ in aid of Age UK Buckinghamshire

If you’re having a barbeque this summer, why not do it for a good cause? Age UK Buckinghamshire is encouraging people to set up a donation fund on the day and raise money for its befriending scheme to help them end loneliness this summer.

Age UK Buckinghamshire is a local independent charity, and all funds raised in Buckinghamshire stay in the county.

To get hold of a fundraising pack and for more information on what is dubbed ‘Bangers and burgers for befriending in Bucks’, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/buckinghamshire or call 01296 431911.

Autumn Ball to raise money for unpaid family carers in Buckinghamshire

The Carers Bucks Autumn Ball takes place on Saturday 7th October 2017 from 7pm – midnight at Chartridge Lodge, Chartridge Lane, Chesham, HP5 2TU. The event will include a fantastic three course meal with Prosecco on arrival plus music/disco throughout the night and a raffle with a range of great prizes such as a trip to Disneyland, family days out, restaurant vouchers and much more.

Tickets cost £45 each and all proceeds from ticket sales will go to helping support unpaid family carers in Buckinghamshire. For further details visit http://www.carersbucks.org/autumn-ball-2017.