Children Today - For A Brighter Tomorrow

Following on from the  success of the Ladies Ascot Day back in July,  Children Today just wanted to give you an update and share with you how some of the money was spent.

This magnificant event was organised by Audrey McIlroy and Susan Dennis, kindly supported by DeVere Whites Hotel, and raised an incredible £9, 500.

Two local children who have been able to benefit from the wonderful fundraising efforts of Audrey and Susan are Shakila aged 22 and Elliot aged 11 (both pictured here).

Shakila and Elliot, both from the Bolton area, were awarded a grant from Children Today to purchase individually adapted lightweight buggies. This piece of equipment allows for greater comfort and enables them both to enjoy more outdoor activities with their families.

Linda Halliwell from Devere Whites Hotel who hosted the presentation of the pieces of equipment to Shakila and Elliot added “we have supported Children Today now for several years and nothing is more encouraging than to see the children receive their equipment.”

Without the help from such people as DeVere Whites Hotels and Audrey McIlroy and Susan Dennis, who organised Ladies Ascot Day,  Children Today could not provide these items of life changing equipment. With your assistance we could help so many more children throughout the UK.

Over the past month, children in the Midlands have been exercising their artistic talents to design a Christmas card for Children Today.

On Sunday November 2nd the winners were announced at Castle Galleries in Leamington Spa. Ten of the impressive entries were Highly Commended and shortlisted for the final judging. The children and their parents were invited to a reception at the Gallery where all the designs were on show.

James Plaskitt MP presented certificates to the children whose designs were Highly Commended and then Ellie Wardle, currently managing the gallery, made the final judging decisions.

The standard was extremely high and the decision was very difficult but finally, in the 8 and under category, the winner was Nipuni Wijeratne, aged 7, from The Kingsley School, with her gorgeous, cheerful Snowman design. The 9 and over category was won by Ellie Garden, aged 10, whose Night before Christmas scene impressed the judges with it’s attention to detail. Both winners were also presented with art materials kits to nurture their talents.

The two winning designs will be printed as cards and sold from a number of retail stores around the town including Castle Galleries itself. Due to the generous sponsorship of the gallery, 100% of the profits from sales will be donated to the charity, considerably more than the normal percentage from most charity cards available on the High Street.

Ellie Wardle, judge, said, “We are delighted that Castle Galleries could be involved in this competition, not just to help raise money for this wonderful cause but also to encourage local young artists.”

We’d like to thank Castle Galleries for their support, James Plaskitt for presenting to the winners, Simon Coates for the photographs, Matthew Sparkes for the design work creating the cards and Ellie, Nipuni and all the children for their wonderful entries.

If you would like to buy some of these beautiful and unique cards but can’t get to the gallery, then please call our Regional Fundraising Manager, Emma Fawcett, on 07912 308576 who will be glad to help.

Our very own daredevil Lois Lee, took the plunge into the great blue. Lois successfully completed a tandem parachute jump at 10, 000 ft at the Whitchurch Parachute Centre on Saturday 18th October. So far she has raised an incredible £841.57 and the sponsor money is still flooding in! 

Lois had this to say about her exciting adventure “Oh WOW!!!   What an incredible experience.  Sitting on the edge of the open door of a tiny aircraft at 10,000 ft and then freefalling into a cushion of snowy white fluffy cottonwool balls at 120 mph is absolutely amazing!  The tranquility and beauty of parachuting over endless fields with panoramic views over Cheshire,  picking out the cities of Liverpool and  Chester in the far distance and floating effortlessly from upon high.  A rare privilege indeed.”

To have the same fantastic experience as Lois and for further information call 01244 335622 or visit the parachuting section of our website.

The Chamber Go-Kart Racing is a highlight of the social calendar. This highly popular event is an opportunity for those “want to be” Lewis Hamiltons and  those of an adverturous nature to entertain clients or staff members at this highly popular and exciting event. The Circuit in Sandicroft in primarily an in-door venue and competitive driving should be gaurenteed, regardless of the weather. Tickets are limited so early booking is essential. The tickets include light refreshment at the buffet and are priced at £140+vat for a team of 4 or £35+vat per person, subject to making a full team.

To join the event call the CEPNW Chamber of Commerce on 01244 669988 or book online.

Local businesses staged an exclusive Autumn Fashion Show on Monday 29th September, in Royal Leamington Spa in aid of the charity.

Presented by Warwick-based Zap Events, the evening consisted of L.K. Bennett’s latest elegant and wearable designs, innovative costume jewellery from Ikandie, inspiring eclectic fashion from Lilac Rose (Regent St) and the pick of the season’s must-have brands from nv Her (Royal Priors). Models hair and make-up was done by Saks Hair and Beauty, Clinique and Headmasters Salon.

The venue was the Leamington Bar and Grill, the elegant rooms of which used to be the ballroom of the old Regent Hotel, and cocktails and canapes were provided, courtesy of manager Craig Henry.

Chelsea gold-medal winner, Sarah Horne, dressed the venue for the evening to photograph for her forthcoming book on floral design. The book will be available next summer but a calendar of dramatic pictures will be available by Christmas.

Emma Fawcett, Regional Fundraising Manager said “The wonderful support we have received from our sponsors and guests tonight has raised nearly £2000, which will make a real difference to the lives of local disabled children by providing the vital equipment they need.”

You can find more pictures on our facebook page.

The evening was made possible by our fantastic sponsors, Matthew Sparkes Design, Lombok, Strada Italian Restaurant, Cologne and Cotton, Esque Beauty Salon, Teamworks Go-karting, Walnut and Weave, Dior Fragrance and Beauty, Thorntons Chocolates, Space NK.

All photographs courtesy of Simon Coates Photography.