News
Manchester entrepreneurs complete 100k Challenge
Over the past five days, 10 top businessmen have put their physical strength and entrepreneurial spirit to the test during an epic 100k Challenge across Europe in aid of the NSPCC Hear Our Cry appeal.
Dragging their aching limbs across the finish line in Barcelona last night, the runners were drained and exhausted but immensely proud of the achievement and of the £100,000 raised.
Mike Perls, CEO of MC2 and driving force behind the 100k Challenge, commented: “It certainly hasn’t been a stroll in the park. Ash clouds, stomach bugs and uphill runs in Holland were all unexpected obstacles for us and have made the challenge that bit harder. There were times I think we all thought we wouldn’t make it to Barcelona so I am thrilled that we all completed the last 10k and are still here to tell the tale!”
Airport closures caused by the volcanic ash cloud meant the runners’ best laid plans to fly direct to Amsterdam for the second leg of the challenge on Sunday actually resulted in a last minute dash to Dover for a ferry and a midnight run in a rather rainy Ostend.
Despite the set back of the first day, the team soon got back on track running 10k routes in major European cities such as Brussels, Geneva and Monaco before strapping up ankles, hamstrings and toes for the last leg of the challenge in Barcelona yesterday afternoon.
Perls added: “It’s been an absolutely amazing experience for all of us but we’re hugely relieved that it’s complete. Our energy reserves were virtually empty after two runs and the extra travel on the first day so, from then on, it has been a constant challenge to pick ourselves up ready for the next race.
“We have had great support throughout the challenge, in the cities we have visited as well as from family, friends and contacts at home which has really helped keep us going. People have donated generously for the Hear Our Cry appeal and I’m delighted that we have managed to raise such a substantial sum of money for the NSPCC. We’ve still got a little way to go to hit our target of £100,000 though so if you haven’t donated yet please visit www.hearourcry.co.uk.”
Hear Our Cry is a new campaign for the NSPCC in the North West and has been launched to promote awareness of the vital helpline services provided by the charity, including ChildLine, the UK’s free confidential 24-hour helpline for children, and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about a child.
The aim of the campaign is to raise £2.7m by May 2011 to ensure more children and young people across the region have access to the help they need when they need it most.
Angela Capper, NSPCC development manager for the North West said: “Many thanks to Manchester’s entrepreneurs for their commitment and dedication in completing this epic 10k challenge to support the NSPCC. It is a fantastic achievement and our congratulations go to each one of them. Thanks for the businessmen’s time and fundraising efforts, the money raised will help support our vital helpline services to ensure we can answer even more cries for help from children in the UK.”
To find out more about the 100k Challenge or the Hear Our Cry appeal please go to www.hearourcry.co.uk or to donate the Just Giving page is www.justgiving.com/100kchallenge.
ANS Group sponsors Children's Hospital final fundraising event
Radio One DJ and TV presenter Sara Cox has been lined up to host Notte Bella: Il Finito - The New Children's Hospital Appeal final fundraising dinner in October.
Sara Cox, who recently visited the new hospital and met some of its young patients, has offered to compere the fundraising event on 22 October 2009 at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel which will be attended by a whole host of celebrities and key North West business contacts.
The glittering event, sponsored by ANS Group, will celebrate the charity's efforts to reach its £20m fundraising target. When it was established in 2006, the Appeal aimed to raise £20million to support projects within the new hospital, which opened on 11th June 2009 and which is the largest children's hospital in the country. Now approaching the end of a three year campaign, the Appeal has £1.8 million of its target left to achieve.
Radio One DJ, Sara Cox, commented:
"I am really looking forward to hosting Notte Bella: Il Finito in October. It will be a fabulous event and fingers crossed that the Appeal will have raised the final £1.8 million needed to hit their £20 million target to really make it a night to remember."
Maurice Watkins, Appeal Chairman added:
"We are absolutely delighted that Sara Cox has kindly agreed to host our event, Sara will add much sparkle to this fabulous evening and it is always nice to see people from the region and businesses such as our sponsors ANS Group supporting local charities."
Scott Fletcher, Chairman and founder of sponsors ANS Group, added:
"The new children's hospital is such a significant project for the North West and, as a Manchester company, we are really enjoying being involved with the Appeal and in making this final event a success. It was great to see Sara's support for the cause and the smiles she brought to a lot of children's faces during her visit."
The new hospital, located on Oxford Road in central Manchester will provide specialist services to some of the regions' poorliest children. Specialist services include the Willink Biochemical Genetics Unit, burns unit, cancer unit, renal services including transplantation, critical care, bone marrow transplantation and spine surgery.
The New Children's Hospital Appeal has been focusing on raising money to provide additional and up-to date equipment for diagnosis and treatment as well as a place for parents to stay on or close to their child's ward during treatment.
For further information on The New Children's Hospital Appeal or to book tickets for Notte Bella: Il Finito please contact 0161 276 4522.
ANS Group to Sponsor New Children’s Hospital Appeal Event 2009
Manchester based technology infrastructure specialist ANS Group has been announced as the exclusive headline sponsor for The New Children’s Hospital Appeal 2009 event, Notte Bella: Il Finito.
When it was established in 2006, The Appeal aimed to raise £20 million for the hospital, which opened on the 11th June and is the largest children’s facility in the country. Now at the end of the three-year campaign, the Appeal has £2 million of its target left to achieve.
Key North West business contacts and celebrities will be attending what is the second Notte Bella event at The Manchester Hilton in October. In 2007, the event was attended by Radio One’s Sara Cox and several well-known television personalities. The Appeal expects an even more high profile line up this year.
Scott Fletcher, CEO of ANS Group, commented: “It is fantastic to be able to help such a worthwhile Manchester based charity. As the largest children’s hospital in the UK, the state of the art facilities will have a great and lasting impact not just on our region, but the whole country.
“ANS Group is very proud to be a part of this. We already have established relationships throughout the NHS, working closely with the Trusts to implement new technology and improve patient experience as well as staff efficiency, but this adds a whole new level of engagement and has impacted on us very personally.
“With £18 million raised so far there is a lot of work ahead of us, and we are committed to helping The New Children’s Hospital Appeal reach its target.”
Staff log on to Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare’s new intranet site
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare’s (ALWCH) new intranet site has gone live, providing staff with an interactive tool to enhance two-way communication and facilitate the sharing of best practice.
The site, which was designed and built in two months, was the product of a partnership approach between MC2 and staff from ALWCH.
Ben Peck, Account Director at MC2, said that the close working relationship ensured that the intranet was tailored to the organisation’s specific needs and requirements.
“As ALWCH is a relatively new organisation who are developing their identity and culture - a generic “out-of-the-box” intranet package wouldn’t have sufficed.”
Though Vision & Values workshops MC2 identified the key priorities that needed to be addressed and got an understanding of how staff use their current intranet.
The intranet was also was tested and reviewed by staff throughout the build, with their feedback incorporated into the final design.
“As staff felt engaged and consulted about the project from outset, the approach both underpinned ALWCH’s organisational values and will help the intranet become an integral part of how staff work,” said Ben.
Histesh Chandarana, Head of Partnership and Engagement, said that the intranet would expand the level of internal communication within the organisation.
“As Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Community Healthcare operates over three districts, it is important that staff have a means in which they can interact, share skills, knowledge and news. The new site offers an easy and reliable way to exchange ideas and resources and helps staff feel engaged with ALWCH’s vision for the future.
“We are really pleased with the intranet MC2 produced and believe that it will become an integral part of how we communicate as an organisation.”
MC2 officially the largest independent agency in the North
MC2 has been ranked the largest independent PR agency in the North in PR Week’s definitive Top 150 PR Consultancies.
The figures, which are based on fee income, showed MC2 to be the 35th largest independent agency in the UK, and the 75th largest overall, in a year when even agencies at the bottom of the table were boasting over £1 million turnover.
PR Week gave special mention to MC2’s “impressive growth” in 2008, in a year when many other consultancies on the list saw turnover drop significantly.
Click here for Mike Perls’ reaction to the ranking.
