Passionate Blog

Have you backed Beacon Centre for the Blind's Second Site appeal yet?

YESTERDAY, thanks to the work we do with Wolverhampton's Novotel Hotel, I was given a guided tour of the city's Beacon Centre for the Blind - a facility I knew was there, had passed many times, but am a little embarrassed to admit, had never stepped foot inside.

Details of an exciting project between the centre and the Novotel are still being finalised, but yesterday's visit has shown me why such an event will be so worthwhile.

So what does the centre do exactly?

It's a local charity which promotes independence and choice to more than 3,000 visually impaired people in the Black Country and South Staffordshire.

Tasty treat for Village people

WALSALL'S Village Hotel cooked up a treat for 80 VIP guests as they hosted a charity launch night for their new restaurant, Verve Grill, in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Street magician Russ Stokes conjured up some fun as he astounded with his up-close and personal tricks at the tables, and a barman from the hotel’s Victory Pub, Adam Smith, serenaded with classical tunes on the piano.

A charity auction raised £630 for Acorns Children’s Hospice, with prizes including a full spring-clean of someone’s house by the hotel housekeeping team, Verve Grill’s head chef cooking a three-course a-la-carte dinner for six at the winner’s home and a signed West Bromwich Albion shirt.

Adding some Bollywood spice

WOW! What a night. In between learning Bollywood dance moves, having henna tattoos and watching a fabulous fashion show by Coconut Couture, ladies at India Gates Restaurant's charity night raised £200 for Breast Cancer Care.
The event attracted 80 guests who all had a Bolly-Good time!

Thanks to Desi Nach Dance Troupe, Coconut Couture, Digital Aisa Entertainments, Shally's Beauty Parlour and Oxford Blue Jewellers for making the party go with a Bhangra!

A Passionate encounter for kids' TV star

IT'S a tough job but someone has to do it!

Here's Katie getting up close (but not quite personal, thank you!) with the lovely Mark Rhodes.

Mark was at a very special event last Saturday. He spoke movingly of what a wonderful woman his mum was when he attended a remembrance service organised by Compton Hospice.

Just don't call them "the twins" Big Brother!

TAMBA'S Twins, Triplets & More Week is fast approaching and this year it's a pretty low-key affair. That means I'm helping out voluntarily.

Please consider voting and commenting here if you would like to help my small part in continuing to help raise awareness of issues affecting twins, triplets or more. I've a few ideas up my sleeve as to what to do with the results. Big Brother will hopefully be a good hook...

In the past, we have worked on local, regional, national and yes (get me) international coverage. It's listed after the cut if you'd like to know more.

Compton Hospice scoops major grant

THERE'S been fantastic news and great coverage for Compton Hospice, which is all set for a major facelift after scooping a £226,775 cash boost.

The Department of Health’s Dignity and Care for Older People programme approved the grant application, sent by the hospice last year, for funds to improve the Compton Hall site inside and out.

The decision is set to make the hospice’s 25th anniversay year even more memorable, with work starting in May.

Tracy Marsh, head of fundraising and communications at the hospice said: “This is obviously wonderful news and we’re thrilled at the decision.

Katie in the slammer

Always a glutton for punishment our Katie is again going to extreme lengths to raise money for Compton Hospice.

This Friday she's being locked up in the cells at The Molineux in Wolverhampton until she raises enough bail to be released.

All the money raised will be donated to the Hospice so we're keen to raise as much bail as we can. We have to come up with a reason as to why Katie finds herself behind bars. Judging by this picture, it's got to be for crimes against fashion.

Carole's one step ahead

We always like to report on what our clients are getting up to, especially when they're raising money for charity.Here's a couple of pictures of Carole Doyle from Acutec when she took part in the Breakthrough Breast Cancer 60km walk in Birmingham. You can read more about it here.  Hey Carole, I wonder if you'll be signing up for this next? [Carol]

An emotional journey

I visited Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall yesterday, along with a group from the Village Hotel who have been doing some fantastic work raising money for them.  They’ve already raised over £1,000 and have plenty more fundraising events in the pipeline - watch this space. . .  The group also arrived laden with gifts of toys and sweets, which I thought was a lovely gesture and was very well received.

Well done Philip and Simon

Here are some pictures from Newell Palmer director Philip Stepp as he reached the top of Ben Nevis with his partner's son Simon - raising £4,000 for Compton Hospice. 

Well done to both of them for making it to the top. We can only imagine what it must be like to achieve such a goal. Oh except for Katie of course, she managed this last year. [Carol]