CHESTER DUO IN CHARITY JUMP

The sky’s the limit for two members of staff at a Chester business this Easter.

Dane Volkswagen’s receptionist Sophie Davis and business manager Iain Gilholm normally have their feet planted firmly on the ground, but on Easter Sunday they will be heading for the heavens to take part in a charity skydive.

Sophie, aged 20 and 30-year-old Iain, have set themselves a target of raising £500 for Cancer Research.

For Sophie it’s her first skydive and even though she’s looking forward to it she’s hoping nerves don’t get the better of her when the aircraft levels out at 12,00ft and it’s time to step out.

She said: “It’s a great cause and I just want to help raise as much money as I can. At the moment I am looking forward to the big day but I just know that once I get up in that plane I’m going to be very apprehensive - to say the least.”

Iain is almost a veteran skydiver - ¬having done one before in Australia, although he’s a little apprehensive he admits to looking forward to his first skydive jump in the UK.

“It’s going to be an amazing day, and I’m sure we will both get a great buzz from both the jump and raising so much money for charity,” he said.

Dane Volkswagen’s brand manager, Chris McCabe, added: “Everyone at Dane Volkswagen wishes Sophie and Iain the best of luck with the sky dive, it’s certainly going to be a great experience.

“Staff are digging deep into their pockets to help the diving duo reach their target for a very good charity.”

Iain and Sophie have set up a website to help reach their fundraising target www.justgiving.com/iainandsophiescharitysplat

40K WALK TO WORK WOMAN GIVEN AWARD

A Chester woman, who has walked over 40,000 miles to work during her career, has been given an exclusive award.

Angela Pupkiss (64), who works at Chester’s Volkswagen retailer, Dane, was presented with the Inchcape Platinum Award at a recent ceremony. Only ten people receive this award every year.

The purchase ledger clerk started work at the Sealand Road retailer in 1976 and has walked the five mile round trip from her home in Newton to work nearly every day since.

In all Angela has walked a marathon a week for 34 years getting to and from work.

She said: “I can’t believe I’ve clocked up so many miles just walking to and from work, but it’s certainly kept me fit.

“I originally walked because I couldn’t afford a car, but it became a habit and I just didn’t stop.

“To be given this Platinum Award is simply brilliant and totally unexpected. “I thoroughly enjoy my job and the colleagues I work with, so don’t think of coming to work as a chore, more a pleasurable experience.”

Chester’s Dane Volkswagen brand manager, Chris McCabe, said: “Angela is an outstanding member of staff and one we all enjoy working with.

“Most people never run a marathon but Angela has walked one every week for 34 years, quite an achievement.

“The Platinum Award is richly deserved and everyone at Dane Volkswagen is delighted for her.”

CHESTER VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICIANS ACHIEVE TOP QUALIFICATION

Two technicians from a Chester car retailer are celebrating reaching the top of their profession.

Chris Dutton (30), from Blacon, and Dave Clarke (29), from Ewloe, have just gained their ‘advanced technical repairer’ qualifications – making them amongst the most qualified Volkswagen technicians in the country.

Both work at Dane Volkswagen on Sealand Road and after starting as apprentice technicians at 16 have progressed quickly through Volkswagen’s training programmes.

Delighted Chris said: “It’s really rewarding to know I have reached the top of my profession.

“It’s been a lot of hard work but both Dave and I have both been fully supported by Dane and couldn’t have got this far without them.”

Chris and Dave can now carry out the most complicated technical repair work on all Volkswagen vehicles and make the most difficult diagnoses. They will also mentor junior members of staff at the retailer.

Dave, who has worked for Dane Chester since he was 19, said: “I have loved my time working here and aimed to progress to an advanced technical repairer since joining; so I am really happy to have made it.

“I also hope it will shows the younger technicians that it can be done and the hard work is worth it.”

If you are interested in this story please contact Natasha Brown on 01902 714957 or email natasha@connect-group.com