ALTRINCHAM WORKERS CYCLE FOR CANCER FUNDRAISER

Two members of staff from an Altrincham retailer have raised thousands for charity after completing a coast-to-coast bike ride with friends.

Steve Bradin, a sales controller, and Tom Carrol, a sales executive, from Gilbert Lawton Volkswagen completed the 131 mile trek from Whitehaven to Sunderland, raising £2,675 for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.

Reflecting on the journey, Bradin thanked his supporters and highlighted the difference that the money raised would make.

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody who sponsored me and Tom for the coast-to-coast bike ride.

“We managed to raise a huge amount of money and this will make a massive difference to a lot of people’s lives.”

The pair embarked on the journey after Tom’s mother, Kathleen Carroll, recently died from cancer.

Fundraising manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, Grace Higgins, spoke of how the funds raised will go a long way to sustaining the costs of specialist nurses.

She said: “This type of fundraising is vital to us - £2,675 will go a long way to support other families that are affected by cancer.

“It costs £191 to fund a Macmillan nurse for one day - Steve and Tom’s efforts could pay for fourteen days, helping families deal with cancer.”

VAN CENTRE SUPPORTS CANCER CHARITY

A Cambridgeshire van centre is helping to drive up support for a cancer charity’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning.

Vindis Van Centre in St Ives has supplied Macmillan Cancer Support with a Volkswagen Caddy to help promote its annual event, which takes place on Friday 24th September.

The distinctively sign written van has taken to the streets of Cambridge to encourage registration for the event and is calling on supporters to host their own coffee morning to help raise valuable funds for the charity.

Elspeth Potter, Macmillan area fundraising manager, said: “Vindis has been a great Macmillan supporter for a number of years and we are so very grateful for their generous loan of the Volkswagen Caddy.

“The van has enabled us to travel to more parts of Cambridgeshire and encourage new supporters to take part in The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. We are hoping to raise £8 million this year so we need as many people to take part as possible. It doesn’t matter if you raise £20, £200 or £2,000 every donation makes a difference for people living with cancer.”

The Volkswagen van centre on Low Road in St Ives will be hosting its own twist to the Coffee Morning event as Shane Fenwick, Vindis general manager, explains.

He said: “This will be the first time we have actually hosted our own Macmillan Coffee Morning. We will be clearing out the showroom and inviting all our customers to come along and help us make the event a great success.

“We hope the Volkswagen Caddy has encouraged many more people to get on board with this fun and worthy event.”

The vehicle’s graphics have been supplied and fitted by 3B Designs.

Macmillan Cancer Support is encouraging everyone to get together with friends, family and colleagues on or around Friday 24 September and be part of the nationwide event and raise money for people affected by cancer.

To register visit www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 602 1246.

For more information contact Sue Foster or Becki Oake on 01902 714 957 or sue@connect-group.com / becki@connect-group.com.

100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR STOWMARKET BUSINESS

Barnards Volkswagen is celebrating its 100th birthday with a weekend of family entertainment, a charity fashion show, a classic car parade and everyone is invited.

The Stowmarket Volkswagen retailer is marking 100 years of business this weekend. Its birthday celebrations will be launched on Friday evening with a charity fashion show followed by a family fun day on the Saturday.

The Station Road East retailer will transform its showroom on Friday for an evening of fashion and beauty with proceeds from the event going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Local fashion outlets, Wardrobe and WNUK Clothing Company will showcase their next season collections supported by Tydeman Jewellers. In addition to the catwalk show guests can enjoy on-site massages, mini manicures and win a spa break in return for a charitable donation.

The evening event, beginning at 7pm, will also display a collection of gifts, accessories and paintings from local businesses and artists. Each exhibitor will donate a percentage of their sales to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The special weekend event is aimed at all ages as the Volkswagen retailer wants to create a party atmosphere to thank Stowmarket customers as well as past and present employees for all their support over the years.

Brand manager Gary Halestrap said. “This event is one big thank you to everyone that has supported us over the years and we hope that many people will take advantage of the activities we have planned.”

Saturday’s family fun day will begin at 10am as a procession of classic Volkswagens will take to the streets in a lap of honour to pay homage to the legendary models. The parade supported by DubGeneration Volkswagen Club will later display the vehicles at the retailer for customers to admire.

Children’s entertainment will be provided by a magician and face painters and the Funky Dub Bar, a modified iconic 1979 Volkswagen camper van, which serves drinks and lively music. Further refreshments will be provided by an all day hog roast.

“We are transforming our showroom for the weekend’s activities but will also be offering some very special 100 year offers on new and used Volkswagens for customers who would like a grab a deal,” concluded Gary.

For further information on the Volkswagen range call 01449 612121.


Picture caption l-r, Craig Pendergast, technician, Hannah Boyce, marketing and sales administrator and Craig Daniels, sales executive get ready for the birthday celebrations.

For further information call Sue Foster on 01902 714957 or email suefoster@connect-group.com