Charity round-up

Our charity pages are an opportunity to highlight the good work local charities are undertaking, and promote fundraising success and future events.

Chester Duck Race 2023 makes a splash

Over £23,000 was raised at this year’s Chester Duck Race, which took place on 1 April and was once again sponsored by Hickory’s Smokehouse. Local businesses sponsored the 85 ducks that took part, raising money for The Countess of Chester’s Blue Skies Balcony Appeal. Plans are already underway for a ‘quacking’ event in 2024!

Walkers raise more than £20,000 for local children’s hospice

Hundreds of walkers put their best foot forward and took on the 10-mile Llangollen Canal Walk recently, raising more than £20,000 for Hope House Children’s Hospice.

The event saw walkers cross the start point at the Trevor Basin in Llangollen, before heading over the world-famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and following the canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back to receive their special medals. The walk was sponsored by the Principality Building Society and was supported by volunteers and marshals from the Wrexham and Erddig Rotary Club.

If you have been inspired to take part in an event or fundraise for Hope House Children’s Hospices then please visit hopehouse.org.uk/events to see how you can get involved.

Wind2 makes compassionate donation to cost-of-living crisis appeal

A fund supporting Welsh communities with the spiralling cost of living has received a £10,000 donation from Moldbased specialist onshore wind and solar energy developer Wind2. ‘Our Communities Together’ appeal, a collaboration between Community Foundation Wales and media company Newsquest, will lead to the launch of a grant programme, where organisations who need it the most can apply for funding of up to £1,000.

Donations will be used to support a range of initiatives – including keeping community venues open and warm, to support the most vulnerable people – as well as providing access to IT services for job hunting or remote working. Other services which could benefit from the funding and help minimise the effects of the cost-of-living crisis include everything from one-to-one financial advice on budgeting and food shopping, to classes for families on healthy cooking.

Sarah Smith, Managing Director at Wind2, said:

“We contributed to the Community Foundation Wales appeal because we know the donation will be in safe hands, as the organisation is experienced in identifying where the money is most needed. Whether our contribution goes towards keeping community venues open or giving families advice on budgeting, the cost-of-living crisis is a very real issue in Wales and we want to help in any way we can. We hope that our donation can have a positive impact on the lives of those who need it the most across Welsh communities.”

Award-wining ‘Buddy’ for people suffering with mental health issues

Emilia Zietara, a pupil at Ysgol Rhosnesni, Wrexham, has been successful in the National BTEC Social Enterprise Competition run by learning group Pearson and the Peter Jones Foundation. Emilia is on the School Link Programme at Coleg Cambria and was entered for the project she delivered on a BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Business.

Her idea – a ‘Buddy’ made from soft, recycled material, to be used as a stress reliever and support system – was lauded by judges, who “Loved the thought process and the research that had gone into the Buddy, as well as the creativity and engaging presentation that Emilia showcased as part of the competition”.

Peter Jones Foundation CEO Bill Muirhead added: “Emilia won in a very hard Key Stage 4 category and beat hundreds of entries, so huge congratulations were in order.”

A delighted Emilia came up with the concept – which is now being trialled in local primary schools – during the pandemic, as students across the UK were forced to learn from home in lockdown, away from their friends and in isolation. After carrying out research she received a positive response, with many saying the Buddy relieved tension and anxiety, making them feel comforted and calmer.

Emilia said: “The idea was originally intended to be a memory bear for people who had lost someone or wanted to have something to hold to keep a memory alive, for any reason really. However, shortly after researching more into the increase of mental health problems in the UK and the instant smiles from those who held the first Buddy I made, it got me thinking about how this could be important to support those who really needed it.”

SHARE the fun this summer

SHARE is very excited to announce its Summer Charity Dinner on Friday 7 July at ABode, Chester. Sponsored by Staff 86, the evening will include a drinks reception, dinner, raffle, auction and disco to dance the night away.

There will also be a special guest speaker. Money raised from the event will help continue the charity’s work with the homeless in Chester and refugees everywhere.

Tickets cost £45, or a table of 10 is available at a discounted rate of £400. Email judith@shareaid.co.uk for more information.

Groundwork North Wales wins Employer of the Year at The Great British Awards

Groundwork North Wales, a charity organisation dedicated to supporting communities in need, is thrilled to announce that it has been named as Employer of the Year at The Great British Awards Business and Community.

The Great British Awards recognises companies that demonstrate excellence in business performance, as well as a commitment to giving back to their communities. This year’s awards ceremony took place on Friday 21 April 2023, and Groundwork North Wales was honoured to be recognised alongside other outstanding organisations.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as Employer of the Year at The Great British Awards,” said Karen Balmer, CEO of Groundwork North Wales. “Our employees are the backbone of our organisation, and we are committed to providing them with a supportive and fulfilling workplace. This award is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we are honoured to be able to celebrate this achievement with them.”

As a charity, Groundwork North Wales is deeply committed to its employees, who play a crucial role in helping the organisation to achieve its mission. Groundwork North Wales offers a range of benefits and personal development opportunities, to support their employees’ growth and well-being.

The judges were impressed by Groundwork North Wales’s close-knit staff teams working in an environment which empowers and encourages them to thrive. “Their financial results demonstrate resilience, growth and sustainability,” the judges of this category noted. “The ‘feel good’ factor of this employer is truly evident”.