Brake seeks adventurous fundraisers to trek in aid of road crash victims

Brake, the road safety charity, is seeking energetic and adventurous fundraisers to sign up now to hold a fundraising trek in aid of its work campaigning for safer roads and supporting road crash victims.By getting sponsored to trek, individuals and groups - from seasoned hikers to teams of colleagues or people seeking a challenge - can help Brake continue its work to bring about safer streets for people on foot and bike and to support people who suffer the devastation of a bereavement or injury on roads.

Brake is appealing to walkers everywhere to trek for Brake this year, in support of the charity's recently launched campaign to make roads safer for walking and cycling through slower traffic speeds in communities and better pavements, paths and crossings. Read about the GO 20 campaign.

On 28 September Brake supporters will be climbing Mount Snowdon, and Brake is calling on more people to sign up now and join the adventure.This challenge, during which participants will reach the highest peak in Wales, is a great opportunity to get active and fundraise for Brake. Visit www.brake.org.uk/get-moving/trek-for-brake.htm to find out more about the trek, and contact Lisa via the details below to register. (See attached flyer for details)
 
You can also sign up for a trekathon, a marshalled 26-mile trek in the UK or overseas, and find more details about scheduled trekathons at www.discoveradventure.co.uk. 

In 2012, 62 people trekked for Brake, raising a fantastic £20,997 for the charity, including Lisa Henney from Oxford (see below and photo attached - Lisa, centre, is pictured fundraising for Brake).
Brake provides all fundraisers with a pack containing a t-shirt, sponsorship envelopes, hints and tips on raising funds, and information on Brake's work.

To trek for Brake, complete our form or contact Lisa Kendall on fundraise@brake.org.uk or 01484 683294. Find out about other fundraisers, plus hints and tips at www.brake.org.uk/fundraise.

Lisa Henney from Oxford last year trekked 26 miles between Winchester and Salisbury cathedrals with her fiancé Tim and friend Chloe, raising over £2,500 in memory of her 18 year-old sister Jan,who was tragically killed in a road crash in January 2012. 

Lisa Henney says: "After we lost Jan I felt helpless, knowing there was nothing I could do to change what had happened. My friend Chloe told me about Brake and the work that they do to support families who have been bereaved and we decided to do something positive that might make a difference and help save lives. That's when we decided to do the trek. It was one of the most physically challenging things I've ever done but it was one of my proudest moments and I feel like I made Janproud too. I'd definitely recommend doing a trek as a great way to challenge yourself and do something positive for others."

Lisa Kendall, community fundraising manager at Brake, says:"Trekking for Brake is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors in aid of a charity that carries out vital work: supporting families going through unimaginable suffering, and defending everyone's right to walk safely. By following in the footsteps of people like Lisa, Tim and Chloe you can help us campaign for safer roads and support families devastated by road crashes. If you're planning a hiking trip this year, you're a walking club member, or you just love a stroll with friends and family, consider combining your love of walking with fundraising for a great cause. You'll be helping us continue campaigning for everyone to be able to walk without being endangered."

New support group for ME, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia in Sussex

The Koorana Centre in Ardingly has announced details of a new support group for those who experience ME, CFS or Fibromyalgia, which starts with an introductory session being held on two dates in July, Friday 12^th and Saturday 20^th July from 2-3.30pm.

“We are pleased to welcome Carol Jordan who will lead this session and provide an introduction to the Chrysalis Effect Recovery Programme which is supporting a large number of people on the journey to recovery” said Gabrielle Hall, founder and director of the wellbeing centre. “So many clients we speak to feel deeply frustrated by the lack of support and effective solutions for these debilitating conditions. Carol is an experienced therapist and Chrysalis Effect Programme Practitioner and we hope this introduction may offer some insight into these conditions, help people begin to find ways to manage the symptoms and ultimately bring lasting relief.”

These introductions will last about an hour with time for questions afterwards and the cost to attend is £5 per person. Reservations can be made by emailing the centre info@kooranacentre.com.

Further details can be found on the centre’s website www.kooranacentre.com or by emailing info@kooranacentre.com or telephoning 01444 810295.

WWT Arundel receives a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for second year!

Families enjoying WWT Arundel Wetland 

Centre strolling Reedbed Boardwalk

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre has been honoured again as a top performing visitor attraction by users of the world’s largest and best-known travel site.

The 60-acre nature reserve and wetland centre has received another TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence, placing it in the top performing 10 per cent of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor. This is the second year running WWT Arundel has won this award.

The prestigious accolade recognises hospitality excellence and is given only to those establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews.

Newly opened Discovery Hide

To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four out of five or higher and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

The website’s ‘snapshot’ facility shows that out of a current total of 125 reviews, WWT Arundel’s overall score is four-and-a-half out of five and the centre is ranked 3 out of 10 local attractions listed under the same TripAdvisor area.

Pat Warren, Marketing Manager at WWT Arundel, said: “We strive to offer everyone who comes through our doors a memorable experience connecting with nature. We are pleased that many reviewers mention the friendliness of our staff.

“This award is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive reviews on TripAdvisor and we’re thrilled to receive it.”

Alison Copus, Vice President of Marketing for TripAdvisor for Business, added: “TripAdvisor is delighted to celebrate the success of businesses around the globe, from Sydney to Chicago, Sao Paulo to Rome, which are consistently offering TripAdvisor travellers a great customer experience.

“The Certificate of Excellence award provides top-performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers.”

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre is open every day from 9:30am - 5:30pm,and  located on Mill Road, Arundel West Sussex BN9 8PB. For more information visit wwt.org.uk/arundel.

Examples of recent TripAdvisor reviews:

24 June –This is a lovely place to be whatever the weather. The staff are very helpful. Its a joyful place to visit and spend time.

23 June – If you love wildlife, particularly baby wildlife, this is the place to go and you can feed them by hand too. Its peaceful, beautiful and a great place to recharge the batteries.

10 June – I love visiting this place for the amazing variety of bird life (so many different types of ducks!), the beautiful scenery, the peace and quiet, and nothing beats having ducklings feeding out of your hand - a great dose of 'feel-good-factor' for young and old alike.

9 June - Great variety and the walks and boat rides make this a special place for young and old. So many species of ducks and birds with all the young hatching - and the sun shone which made it even better. Cafe is a good value for food and drinks. Its clean and tidy throughout and well worth a visit.

There be giants at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion from July 4!

Ambika Parkin (7) and Sunny Parkin (5) found one of the Selfish Giant’s garden forks in front of the Royal Pavilion – giant maze opens July 4.

A stunning summer maze attraction will open on the Eastern Lawns of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, from July 4, for locals and visitors to enjoy.

Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Selfish Giant’, a fairy tale about a Giant who doesn’t want to share the garden he loves with children, but learns the error of his ways, the maze is being exclusively made for Brighton by the creators of the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink.

Shella Parkin, MD of Laine Ltd, said: “We wanted to create something amazing for the school summer holidays on the Eastern Lawns, in addition to our popular winter attraction.

“I’ve always loved mazes and felt the Pavilion deserved its own one as there has been a long history of association between historic buildings and mazes. Our aim is to create a maze that looks as though it has always been there but somehow ‘out of view’. Our design is inspired by a story I’ve loved since I was a little girl and have read aloud to my own children.”

The 22m by 22m maze is based on a Roman design and made up of 360 metres of corridors and beautiful hidden garden rooms, evoking the four seasons in the Giant’s Garden.

Sound effects, giant gardening tools, riddles and traditional games, such as Nine Men’s Morris and Fox and Geese, will startle and delight adults and children alike as they try to find their way to the centre of the maze. Is there a giant in the centre of the maze? You’ll have to visit to find out!

The attraction costs just £4 per person, making it affordable for families with children of all ages to enjoy and hopefully come back to more than once.

Tickets can be purchased from the box office on site only and opening hours are 11am to 7pm, July 4 to September 3, Eastern Lawns Royal Pavilion, Brighton, BN1 1EE.