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GRAHAM'S CHARITY
BID ADDS A TOUCH OF SPICE
SURVEYOR Graham Pilkington
provided food for thought on Friday, 15 February 2013, when he
served up lunch for his colleagues. But the big hearted father of 2
didn't anticipate the huge response he would receive when he invited
people to help him raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Graham, 41, from Churchtown, Southport, decided to spice up the
working day by offering a chilli or a curry to colleagues at the
Eric Wright Group in Bamber Bridge for just £5. And his offer
proved so popular that more than 100 people signed up for his dish
of the day.
Graham, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer last February after he
had visited hospital for a routine check before a back operation,
said:- "I consider myself to be very lucky. The cancer was
caught relatively early and I've now been given the all-clear.
When I decided to raise some money I wanted to do something a bit
different that didn't involve asking for sponsorship, but I didn't
expect such a big response."
Graham, who is a senior development surveyor with Maple Grove
Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, coped with his culinary
challenge by cooking his meals at home during two weekends and also
in the evening and then keeping them in freezers at home, at his
parents and at work. He then had to arrange 3 sittings in the
work canteen. Some people also took the frozen meal home for tea.
Although he does not have any more fund-raising plans in the
pipeline, Graham said he was keen to show his support when his wife
Tina, 37, decided to raise money for the charity Beating Bowel
Cancer. He said:- "On February 24, one year to the day
from my diagnosis, Tina, who has never run competitively, has signed
up to do the Great North West half marathon in Blackpool."
Graham, who insists that his cooking skills are limited – in case he
gets roped in for a regular shift over the cooker at home – said he
would be cheering her on from the side-lines, along with his two
young children, Jonathon and Sophie.
Jeremy Hartley, managing director of the Eric Wright Group, one of
the North West's leading construction, civil engineering, property
development and facilities management companies, said:- "We
were delighted to be able to show our support for Graham who came up
with a very popular way of raising money and highlighting the work
of Beating Bowel Cancer."
The company had pledged to match the money raised by Graham, which
should bring his total to over £1,500 and he would like to thank
everyone for their help and support.
For more information about the Eric Wright Group visit:-
ericwright.co.uk.
City's historic Welsh links
celebrated
LIVERPOOL'S historic links with Wales will been celebrated this
St David's Day at the Town Hall. The service will take place at
Liverpool Town Hall on Friday, 1 March 2013, and will be performed
by Reverend Professor Dr Ben Rees. Lord Mayor, Councillor Sharon
Sullivan said:- "The Welsh civic service is a great
opportunity to celebrate our long standing links with Wales. We are
very fortunate to have such a great relationship with our Welsh
neighbours and I hope we continue to celebrate this friendship for
many years to come." Reverend Rees said:- "The Welsh
civic reception is always a time to celebrate and rejoice. We are
always guaranteed a very warm welcome in the City of Liverpool."
The Welsh flag will fly at full mast from the Town Hall and the
Welsh Choral Choir will be in attendance to lead the hymns. The
Prayer of Thanksgiving will be led by Rev. Dr Elfed ap Nefydd
Roberts, M.A., of Wrexham. |
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LOCAL BINGO CLUB
CATCHES YELLOW FEVER FOR CHARITY
A bout of yellow fever is
taking over Mecca Southport as team members get ready to support
Marie Curie Cancer Care's Great Daffodil Appeal this March.
Mecca is supporting the charity's annual flagship fundraising appeal
for the 3rd successive year, and customers are encouraged to wear
its yellow daffodil pin in return for a donation to the cause.
The Great Daffodil Appeal is Marie Curie's biggest fundraising
campaign. All money raised from the appeal helps provide more free
nursing care for people with a terminal illness either in their own
home or one of the charity's nine hospices.
General manager for Mecca Southport, Brian Hennigan, said:-
"My team and I are very much looking forward to once again raising
as much money as possible for the Great Daffodil Appeal. I'm sure
our caring customers will be right behind us, as they're always
are."
Sarah Fletcher, community fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care,
said:- "The Great Daffodil Appeal is the number one event in
our calendar and we're thrilled to know we can rely on Mecca's
support once more. Customers and team members across the North West
were brilliant fundraisers last year and I hear they're ready to go
all out again this March, which is fantastic news as every penny
counts and helps us make a difference to local people with a
terminal illness and their families."
There are lots of Great Daffodil Appeal fundraising events to get
involved in from taking part in a sponsored daffodil dance and
'Wear
something yellow to
work day' on Friday, March 2013, where workplaces
across the country can add a splash of colour to the day and to
raise money for Marie Curie at the same time.
Daffodil pins can be picked up from Mecca clubs, local stores, Marie
Curie volunteer collectors and Marie Curie Shops throughout March.
For more information on how to get involved in the Great Daffodil
Appeal, please call:- 0845 601 3107 or go
online.
Direct sellers have just days to
settle tax bills
PEOPLE who sell directly to
customers and who haven't paid all the tax they owe have just days
left to take part in an opportunity offered by HM Revenue & Customs
(HMRC) to get their tax affairs in order, on the best terms
available. Direct sellers; sometimes called agents,
consultants, representatives or distributors; must tell HMRC about
the tax due, and make arrangements to pay, before 28 February 2013.
Direct selling involves selling directly to customers and taking
"commission" on sales - without the need for a shop. It
can entail demonstrating a product in a customer's home or selling
at a party. Some agents sell door to door, and many use catalogues.
Marian Wilson, head of HMRC Campaigns, said:- "If you are
involved in direct selling and have not told HMRC about all of your
income, you may not be paying the right amount of tax. The Direct
Selling campaign is an opportunity for you to bring your tax affairs
up to date. As a direct seller you are generally considered to be
self-employed. This means that you are responsible for telling HMRC
about what you earn and calculating and paying your own tax. If you
owe tax and don't get in contact, do not assume that HMRC will not
catch up with you soon."
After the 28 February 2013, deadline, HMRC will begin contacting
direct sellers who have not come forward, if HMRC believes they owe
tax. For information on tax for the self-employed direct
seller, click on
here. A
YouTube video also offers help.
To take part in the campaign, direct sellers need to:-
► Tell HMRC about the tax due and make
arrangements to pay any tax, interest, and penalties owed by 28
February 2013.
► Complete a form
online.
Some £547million has been raised by HMRC from voluntary disclosures,
and almost £140 million from follow-up activity, including 20,000
completed investigations. HMRC campaigns launched so far have
targeted offshore investments, medical professionals, plumbers, VAT
defaulters, coaches and tutors, electricians, online traders and
higher rate taxpayers with outstanding tax returns. There are also
13 criminal investigations underway, with 5 convictions already
secured.
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