Businesses are urged to help schoolchildren fight climate change

A school in High Wycombe is appealing for help from businesses to support a campaign to reduce its carbon footprint. The initiative to form a new Eco-Committee at The Highcrest Academy has received widespread support from students who have clamoured to join it.

Now Highcrest is asking for local companies to support the project by supplying or purchasing recycling bins.

More than 100 pupils from all age groups applied to be part of the committee when it was founded in September, with the number eventually pared back to 42 to make it workable. The reaction left Highcrest's Eco-Champion Rachel Mulryan shocked and delighted after she unveiled the plans for the committee at a school assembly. “I didn’t actually think there would be as many who would be interested and when I counted it, I had 116 names from the assembly – I was stunned,” she said.

The group meets every second week and the students have just completed an extensive environmental review around their school, and recently helped out on a major environmental project in Marsh and Micklefield, cleaning up the river, weeding, hedge-laying and raking.

Miss Mulryan explained: “The pupils focused in groups on ten topics – including marine life, global citizenship, healthy living, litter, waste, energy, and transport. Currently, we are writing an action plan ready for implementation in the new year.”

“The students have shown great responsibility and have really shown they are mindful citizens who want to take action. It restores faith in our future generations.”

Any companies interested in helping Highcrest should email chardaker@highcrestacademy.org.uk.

16,000 mile journey in aid of Puzzle Centre

Tom Fremantle is currently undertaking an extraordinary charity walk of over 16,000 miles around the world in aid of three charities, including Puzzle Centre.

Currently, Tom has clocked up 5,000 miles, having hiked the length of America and now most of Europe (he is currently in the Middle East). The walk is being meticulously monitored by a tracking GPS that follows Tom live. Tom also has a colleague, Sean, based in the UK, who is running the website and helps with logistics.

Tom’s walk is expected to take at least three and half years and he regularly updates his friends and supporters via his Facebook page and Instagram. Watch a clip of Tom speaking about this epic trip and the reasons why he is undertaking such an extraordinary challenge

Tom personally does not require sponsorship but he would be absolutely delighted if a business would consider making a suitable donation to Puzzle Centre. In exchange, Tom would be happy to champion their business on social media (Facebook and Instagram) and use their logo on the side of his hiking cart, which could be photographed in locations as he continues his travels around the world.

Tom also makes infrequent trips back to the UK. When he does, he tries to make himself available for talks and radio shows etc. For instance, when he was last back he kindly gave the most inspiring talk about his journey across the USA at the Radcliffe Centre in Buckingham, to raise funds for Puzzle Centre and he gave an interview on the Nick Coffer BBC 3 radio show, raising awareness of all three charities.

You can contact Tom via his website or contact Sarah Dolder at Puzzle Centre at sarahdolder@puzzlecentre.org.uk.

Heart of Bucks recognise the support of local businesses with new scheme

The Community Investor scheme recognises corporate and business supporters of local communities and charities in Buckinghamshire, through their work with Heart of Bucks. As the community foundation for Buckinghamshire, Heart of Bucks awards funding to local not-for-profit groups that are working tirelessly to make positive change in the county.

In addition to supporting individual and family donors, Heart of Bucks works with a number of businesses that have a passion for the local area and corporate social responsibility at the centre of their business ethos. 

Henry Allmand, CEO for Heart of Bucks said: “The relationship we have with local businesses is highly valued by our staff, trustees and most importantly the community which we serve. The funding and support of our corporate and business partners is essential in ensuring that real and sustained impact is made for local good causes, charities and not-for-profit organisations right across the county.”

The scheme aims to be accessible for all businesses regardless of size, reflecting the diversity of groups receiving funding. These can range from larger charities with a local presence to smaller grassroots groups. Often the most life-changing organisations are those operating with a tiny budget where a small amount of funding can make a huge difference.  

Julie Stewart, Director at TD Group said: “TD Group are very pleased to be involved in the Heart of Bucks community investor scheme. It is such a great way for businesses to help and be involved in their local community. Not only to financially support local charities that aren’t always getting help from elsewhere, but also to work alongside them to give them moral support and to let them know they are not alone and are appreciated and valued for the work they do to help others.”

To see a current list of Community Investors and find out more, click here.

Could you occasionally host a young person experience a homelessness crisis?

Youth Concern’s Aylesbury Nightstop scheme provides emergency host accommodation for young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing a homelessness crisis.

Could you play a crucial role in young people's lives by becoming a volunteer Nightstop host? All you need is an occasional spare room. Full training, support and expenses are provided. Email fran@youthconcern.org.uk to find out more.

The MPS Society launches a new Christmas campaign

Your local children’s charity is delighted to be part of The Big Give 2019. The Big Give is the UK’s largest match funding campaign and from December 3rd-10th your donation to the MPS Society will be doubled for free.

Our goal is to raise £5,000 online which will then be doubled to £10,000 and all funds raised will go towards supporting children and families affected by Mucopolysaccharide (MPS), Fabry and related diseases. These diseases are rare, incurable genetic conditions which cause physical and neurological deterioration. The charity strives to transform lives through specialist knowledge, support, advocacy and research. 

How can you help?

Help us reach our goal by making a special Christmas gift this year by visiting www.mpssociety.org.uk/christmas between December 3rd-10th to donate to our great cause. 

For more information, please email fundraising@mpssociety.org.uk or call 0345 389 9901.

Can your business set up fundraising events to help hospice patients?

South Bucks Hospice is appealing to local businesses to raise money to help patients in the run up to Christmas this year.

The charity, based in High Wycombe, is urging small to medium-sized companies to step forward and either donate cash or set up fundraising events in aid of patient care.

“Anything that firms can give or can do for us would be hugely appreciated,” said fundraiser Yvette Smith. “In the run up to Christmas, we know a lot of companies lay on various events and have a lot of fun. So why not, for instance, hold a festive party or have a sponsored Christmas jumper event in aid of South Bucks Hospice?”

The hospice provides care, comfort and support to patients living with life-threatening, progressive or terminal illness, and provides lymphoedema care and support services to families and carers.

Yvette added: “Our services are provided free of charge and we only receive a very small amount of NHS funding, so we need to raise a large amount of money every year just to run our services. We rely hugely on the generosity of our community to fund our services and any and all donations are of real help to us.

“Even if your company doesn’t have deep pockets at this time of year, why not arrange a small, festive fundraising event in aid of the hospice? It is likely to bring a lot of joy and satisfaction to your staff, and will give our patients the help they so urgently need.”

If you are interested in helping the hospice, please contact Yvette on 01494 552761 or email fundraising@sbhospice.org.uk.

Call for volunteer drivers for Community Transport schemes across Bucks - urgent need

Local charity Community Impact Bucks is calling for more volunteer drivers to support Community Transport schemes in Buckinghamshire by joining an existing car or bus scheme, or by setting up a new group in their local area. These schemes provide an essential transport service to the local community, helping to tackle loneliness and support independent living.

In particular, there is an urgent need for volunteer drivers in Wycombe and Aylesbury where there are currently no schemes to help local residents who are unable to use public transport get to medical appointments. Read more information here.