WD-40 FLYING THE FLAG FOR ENGLAND WORLD CUP BID

England flag fever is gripping the country according to figures released by WD-40.

The multi-purpose product company launched a promotion last week, giving a free England van window flag with a can of WD-40 smart straw.

Interest has been so high the initial 56,000 flags are now proudly wedged in cars and vans across the country.

Neil Gow, senior brand manager at WD-40 said: “The country’s drivers are obviously getting behind the country’s bid for glory this summer, just like WD-40.

“We’ve been astonished by the speed at which the flags have gone – I haven’t been able to get one for my car!

“WD-40 is now looking at placing a further order to ensure drivers can show their support for England’s bid for summer glory.”

YORKSHIRE WORLD CHAMPION GIVEN LOCAL BOOST

A world champion kayaker from Leeds is heading off to the biggest events of the year in luxury thanks to a unique sponsorship.

The deal with Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) means Claire O’Hara from Meanwood is now able to concentrate on competing in the World Cup this weekend in Germany and European Championships in Austria later this month.

Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) has specifically kitted out a new Transporter T-5 van, allowing enough room for Claire and two other GB team members to travel with all their equipment to the events.

There’s even enough room for a sleeping area for Claire to rest during the thousands of miles on the road.

The 28-year-old is completely self-funded, leaning heavily on her job as sports co-ordinator at Notre Dame College and sponsorships to allow her to compete in world events.

Claire said: “These two events are massive for me and without this sponsorship from Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), I’d be really stuck. It would be similar to paddling my kayak without any paddles!

“This is the second year I’ve received help from the van centre and I hope to reward the generosity by bringing home at least one medal.”

Andrew Caygill, brand manager at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), said: “Claire is a fantastic ambassador for Yorkshire and Britain, so it was an easy decision to loan her the Transporter T-5 and help her compete in Germany and Austria.

“Everyone at the van centre wishes Claire well in her quest to become European Champion.”

Claire currently world champion in the ‘squirt boating’ category of kayaking and is hoping to add the European ‘freestyle’ title this month.

To find out how Claire gets on in the World Cup and European Championships go to her website www.claireohara.co.uk

Car technicians complete mammouth bike ride for charity

Three body shop specialists from Nottingham Volkswagen have completed one of their hardest life challenges after cycling 85 miles for charity.

Richard Dorito, 33, along with his work colleagues Lee Warnes, 38, and Daniel Boyle, 26, all from Nottingham, cycled from Loughborough to Skegness on Saturday 15th May to raise funds for Bone Cancer Research.

The cycling trio joined 200 other cyclists on the day and managed to complete the journey in an exhausting nine hours, collectively raising over £1,000 for the charity.

Richard said: “We were inspired to complete the challenge after a friend’s son died of bone cancer. It is such a devastating illness we all felt we wanted to do something to help raise awareness for the charity.

“It was an amazing experience, a tough day mentally and physically but it was worth the effort knowing that the money raised would help fund research into the causes and treatment of bone cancer.

“It is with thanks to the team at Nottingham Volkswagen that we were able to raise as much as we did. Everyone really got behind us.”

Around 500 cases of primary bone cancer is diagnosed in the UK each year.

Brand manager at Nottingham Volkswagen, Declan Oglesby said: “Richard, Lee and Daniel trained hard to complete this challenge and have all done exceptionally well.”

Speedway Sponsorship for Birmingham Van Centre

A Birmingham Van Centre has confirmed its commitment to supporting local sporting talent by announcing a sponsorship with Birmingham BRC Roofing Brummies Speedway team.

The Volkswagen van centre on Stephens Street has become a Team Sponsorship Partner for 2010 by providing the Brummies with a fleet of Transporter vans.

The Volkswagen panel vans will be used by the team’s experienced riders to transport bikes to race meetings up and down the country.

Brummies co-promoter Mick Bratley, said: “We were delighted to add such a prestigious and renowned brand to our growing list of commercial sponsors.

“The recent partnership with Volkswagen Van Centre Birmingham will enable the team to travel in comfort and style to the forthcoming race meetings.”

Mark Woodhouse, general manager at Volkswagen Van Centre Birmingham, said: “We are continually looking at ways in which to support the local community and this is our first venture into speedway sponsorship.

“We have given the Brummies four of the very latest Transporters vans which are 20% more fuel efficient than previous models and offer many new stylish features resulting in a more comfortable drive.

“We are very pleased to be involved with Birmingham Speedway and would like to wish them the best of luck in their upcoming meetings and encourage anyone wanting a family day out to go along and watch the daredevils in action,” concluded Mark.

The Birmingham Speedway team, based in Perry Barr, has won its last eight successive races and is currently leading the Premier League and Premier Trophy tables. Race meetings are most Wednesdays. For more information please visit www.birminghamspeedway.co.uk

World cup fever could be an illness too far for region's employers

One of the region’s leading employment lawyers has set down some advice for employers on the eve of the World Cup.

Damian Kelly, a partner in Higgs & Sons’ employment department says that while most employers in the region will watch the World Cup themselves, some have given little or no thought on how to handle their employees during the tournament.

“Some employers will screen key matches at the workplace but this may not be possible for some businesses, even if they have the facilities. If employers can’t apply this consistently for all employees company-wide they could be exposing themselves to complaints and problems from those that are excluded.”

Alternatives for employers to consider include:

· Allowing employees to listen on the radio or via their computer – no licence required
· Where flexible working is in place, some employees may be able to work around the matches that they want to watch and make up lost time
· Employers may consider introducing flexible working for the duration of the World Cup or for key matches

Sickness Absence or Football Injuries

All employees should be required to report any absence to a trained and specified central person during the World Cup.

Damian said: “It’s vital that employers monitor absence closely during this period. The person to whom employees are required to report can ask more probing and appropriate questions when speaking to employees about their absence and can identify absence patterns on match days. This approach, coupled with advance warning to employees that unauthorised absences without a good reason and sickness absences that are not genuine will be dealt with under the disciplinary procedure, should help to discourage absenteeism during the World Cup period.”

If employees are absent during the World Cup employers should investigate further and question the employee when he or she initially reports the absence and conduct a return-to-work interview.

Damian said: “If you have a reasonable belief that the absence is not genuine, based on your investigations - perhaps because the employee has given evasive or inconsistent answers - you may take the matter further. Where there is evidence that the employee was not sick, for example he or she was seen in the pub watching a match, this will clearly be a disciplinary matter.”

Damian has produced a handy five point plan for employers in the region:

1. Before the tournament starts, remind employees that if they want to take time off work, they must make holiday requests in the usual way, and that it may not be possible to accommodate all requests, but explain the basis on which requests will be granted e.g. on a first come first served basis.

2. Remember to treat all employees equally regardless of nationality. If you allow England supporters time off to watch an England game, you should do the same for non-English nationals who want to watch their national team play. A failure to do this could lead to a discrimination claim.

3. Explain that standard levels of attendance and performance are expected throughout the World Cup.

4. Remind employees of your alcohol policy and re-enforce that any breach will result in disciplinary action.

5. Likewise remind employees of your Equal Opportunities Policy and any Non-Harassment/Bullying Policy and make it clear that offensive behaviour towards employees of other nationalities is unacceptable and will be dealt with under your disciplinary policy.

For one-to-one advice from Damian or a member of the Higgs & Sons’ employment team call 0845 111 5050.

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

A team from Bristol will take on one of the toughest challenges of their lives this summer, to raise money for a cancer charity.

Driven by Heritage Volkswagen Van Centre’s general sales manager, Deryk Johnson, the team of seven named ‘Simply the Breast’ will take on the challenge over June 20th and 21st.

Joining him as co-driver will be his sister, Yvonne Beavan, and together with the rest of the team they’re raising funds for Breast Cancer Research.

Yvonne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, making Deryk and the whole team more determined to complete the challenge

During the two day challenge Deryk will act as navigator and driver, carefully managing the team’s arrival at each peak before being ready to collect everyone when they reach the bottom of Ben Nevis and Scaffell Pike.

Yvonne’s husband Richard Beavan will lead the team made up of their children, Chris (25) and Jess (17), Richard’s brother in-law Neil Hackwood (44) and family friend, Lee Russell (38).

Simply the Breast will start the challenge with the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. Standing at 1,344 metres, it is expected to take three hours to climb and a further two and a half hours to descend.

Next they will travel to 978 metre Scafell Pike in the Lake District, with a climbing time of two hours and a hour and a half to descent. Finally, they will take on Snowdon in Wales. At 1,085 metres high it will take them an estimated two and half hours to climb, ounce at the top the challenge is finally over.

The group’s challenge is being supported by Heritage Volkswagen Van Centre, who will be supplying a Volkswagen van to transport them from start to finish.

Heritage Volkswagen Van Centre’s brand manager, Charles Roberts said: “We are all proud of Deryk, and the Simply the Breast team. By donating the use of a van, to transport them from peak to peak, we hope they can concentrate on making as much money as possible.”


Sales manager, Deryk added: “It’s going to be tough to complete the challenge in 24 hours, but we have all trained hard. We hope we can raise lots of funds for Breast Cancer Research.”

He said: “Yvonne is an inspiration to all those that know her.

“It was a shock when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but her courage is helping push us to complete the Three Peaks Challenge.”

To donate money to Simply the Breast, to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research please speak to Deryk at Heritage Volkswagen (tel: 0117 976 5000) or contact the groups facebook page.

Picture caption: The Simply the Breast Team (l-r) Lee Russell, Jessica Beavan, Yvonne Beavan, Richard Beavan, Chris Beavan, Neil Hackwood and Deryk Johnson.

Matt Hamilton becomes youngest champagne moment winner

British Touring Car Championship starlet Matt Hamilton has become the youngest ever winner of a HiQ Champagne Moment award, to the delight of his ever growing fan club.

Despite working with one of the lowest budgets and driving one of the oldest cars on the grid, the 20 year-old has been honoured with the third HiQ champagne moment of the season for his exploits at Brands Hatch.

The TH Motorsport man captured the imagination of onlookers at Brands Hatch, when he eventually finished in 9th place in race two, after starting back in 15th.

Matt has praised the BTCC fans for appreciating his efforts in gaining his first BTCC points, which he said are the equivalent of winning races to most other drivers.

“It is a surprise to win the HiQ Champagne Moment and brilliant to receive the recognition of so many fans.

“We are competing on a fraction of the budget of other teams and for us, scoring points is like winning races.

“The BTCC fans are like no other supporters. They are extremely knowledgeable and appear to have recognised my achievement in gaining points, which is just great. I’d like to thank them.

“Brands Hatch was a great leveler for me. I’d hardly raced in the wet in this series for more than five minutes before, so it was a bit of an eye opener.


“I am still learning about the car and we’re growing all the time as a team. I hope we can keep improving and pick up some more points at Oulton Park.”

Matt polled 27 per cent of votes, beating Tom Chilton into second place (21 per cent) with Gordon Shedden third (16 per cent).

Russell Cook, of Nottingham, was picked at random to present Matt with his bottle of champagne and will also win a bottle for himself, as well as a grid walk and a pair of complimentary weekend race passes.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “Matt’s champagne moment win embodies what these awards are all about.

“We created them to recognise great driving, whether that’s a race win, a podium finish or even a placing in the points like Matt achieved.

“The fans have bought into this spirit which is great to see. Long may it continue!”