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PEAK
CONDITION
THE Meningitis Trust is appealing for adventurous individuals
from the North West who are looking for a challenge in 2006.
The 3 Peaks Challenge takes place over one action-packed weekend. In
just 36 hours participants will climb the UK's three highest peaks
-Snowdon, Sca Fell Pike and Ben Nevis
Event Organiser Steve Williams explained:- "We provide your
coach travel between locations, and an experienced team of guides to
instruct you throughout the event. This is a tough event both
physically and mentally. The ascent from Sca Fell Pike in the dark
will test the whole team." Steve concluded:-
"Whether you enter as part of a group or as an individual you'll
soon forge new friendships, as at the end of the day, this a team
exercise. The group will rely on each other's encouragement and
enthusiasm, right to the last step. On completing the 3rd
summit, the group will have the chance to trade trekker's tales over
a celebratory meal and drinks. Finally in the shadow of the
conquered Ben Nevis, tired trekkers get a well-deserved night's
sleep in a Fort William hotel. "
In return we ask for £75 non-refundable deposit and sponsorship of
£375. All money raised helps fund vital research into the disease
and provides support for life to those affected by meningitis.
This year the Three Peaks Challenge takes place 12 May to 14 May 06, 16
June 06 to 18
June 06 and 7 July to 9 July 06 . For more information email Steve Williams on
stevew@meningitis-trust.org or call 01453 769 024.
KIDS
ARE TOYING WITH A FORTUNE
IT has been
found that
British youngsters are the proud owners of £28 billion worth of
high-tech equipment in their own bedrooms, according to research by
home expert Lloyds TSB Insurance.
While a 3rd of youngsters own
gadgets, entertainment and high-tech equipment worth up to £2,000 in
their bedrooms, as many as 1 in 10 children have up to £5,000 worth
behind closed doors.
The survey into kid’s bedroom technology shows how easily the huge
price tag is wracked up. In the North West alone, over 7 in 10 kids
own TV’s in their bedrooms, and over half own a games console and a
DVD player / recorder.
The following items topped North West kids’ must-have high-tech
gadgets list:-
* 49% have a hi-fi system in their bedroom
* 38% have a video player in their bedroom
* 34% have an iPod or mp3 player in their bedroom
* 34% have a PC in their bedroom
* 13% have broadband connection in their bedroom
* 8% have digital TV or Sky TV in their bedroom
The survey reveals that 86% of children from the North West were
given high tech items as gifts, as opposed to purchasing items
themselves with money earned from jobs (only 8%) or pocket money
(only 6%). Despite the huge amount of gift-giving, just less than 1
in 10 parents thought that buying children high-tech items as gifts
spoilt them. 47% of parents felt their children deserved or needed
the items and 22% of parents said they thought these items kept kids
entertained and out of trouble. Significantly, 6% of parents said
children’s bedrooms now hold more valuables than any other room in
the house.
Phil Loney, Managing Director Lloyds TSB Insurance said:- “It
may surprise some parents, but our survey shows that youngsters are
quite literally, sleeping on a gold mine. As new technology
increases, so to does the value of kid’s bedrooms, with many kids
owning 7 or 8 individual high-priced items. With high tech
trends set to continue, it’s important that parents ensure their
home contents insurance is updated to include the ever increasing
value of their kid’s bedrooms.”
For more information on Lloyds TSB Home Insurance or a quote visit
your local branch, log onto
www.insurance.co.uk
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LAKE TECHNOLOGIES WINS GOLD AWARD
MERSEYSIDE-based business Lake Technologies Ltd is being
rewarded for fostering a culture of giving in the workplace with a
Gold Award, at the launch of the new Payroll Giving Quality Mark.
Lake Technologies, along with local MP Shaun Woodward, is calling on
employers across Merseyside to follow suit by making Payroll Giving
- the tax-effective employee donation scheme - available to
employees.
Kevin Cliffe, Joint Managing Director of Lake Technologies says:-
"Payroll Giving is a key part of our corporate social
responsibility. As an extra incentive for our employees, we match
their donations to our dedicated charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief.
Payroll Giving builds on staff morale, encouraging a sense of pride
and fulfilment."
Presenting them with their award, Shaun Woodward, MP for St Helens
South, adds:- "Payroll Giving is something every organisation
can get involved in, whatever their size. It is an important and
reliable source of revenue for charities that is quick and easy to
set up and run, and gives businesses the chance to connect with
their local community. By donating money straight from their salary,
employees can make a regular, tax-efficient commitment to their
favourite good cause."
Each month, 14 of Lake Technologies' 21 employees donate an average
of £5 a month through Payroll Giving to Macmillan Cancer Relief.
This is matched by the company, raising £140 a month - £1,680 a year
- for a charity that 'touches all of our lives'.
The Payroll Giving Quality Mark aims to provide sustainable income
sources for UK charities by increasing participation in Payroll
Giving. The scheme recognises and rewards employers for making
Payroll Giving available to staff, providing them with a certificate
and use of a logo which enables them to publicly demonstrate their
commitment to good causes. Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards are
allocated to organisations that demonstrate excellence in fostering
a culture of giving in the workplace through Payroll Giving. The
Payroll Giving Quality Mark is funded by HM Government, administered
and promoted by the Institute of Fundraising, with support from
Business in the Community.
Ivan Lewis MP, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury, welcomes the
initiative, saying:- "This innovative new scheme, funded by
Government, aims to encourage more employers to foster a culture of
giving in the workplace by making tax-effective payroll donations
available to their employees. Payroll Giving is good for business
and a real benefit to offer employees. I hope that the coming
financial year will be a record year of donations raising in excess
of £100 million for good causes."
By setting up Payroll Giving, employers enable their employees to
give to any UK charity straight from their gross salary and to get
immediate tax relief of up to 40% on each donation. Payroll Giving
has minimal administrative requirements or costs and is an ideal way
for organisations at all budget levels to generate a regular,
reliable income stream for good causes.
The new Payroll Giving Quality Mark comes one year after launch of
the Payroll Giving Grants programme, which offers grants of up to
£500 to small and medium-sized employers ('SMEs') simply for making
Payroll Giving available to their staff. Grants are payable to SMEs
with fewer than 500 employees that sign up to Payroll Giving before
the end of the year. As an additional incentive, the Grants
programme matches the first £10 donated by each employee, every
month, for a period of 6 months. Since launch of the Payroll Giving
Grants programme, the number of SMEs signed up to Payroll Giving has
more than doubled.
Web:-
www.payrollgivingcentre.org.uk
Hotline:- 0845 602 6786.
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