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29.09.2023, Norfolk UK: Last week, a team of seven trekkers walked 100 miles for the UK’s 54 children’s hospices including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). The team, made up of crafting superstore Hobbycraft’s leadership team, and leading children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives’ Chief Executive, are aiming to raise £50,000 to support the UK’s 54 children’s hospices.

Setting off in Thetford on Friday 22 September, the trekkers – known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ – completed the Angles Way Walk through Norfolk and Suffolk, finishing in Great Yarmouth on Monday 25 September. The trek is their eighth, which has so far totalled 800 miles for seriously ill children and their families across the country.

One family in particular were cheering on the team from their local children’s hospice, EACH. Five-year-old Libby, from Peterborough, lives with Bohring-Opitz syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects the development of many parts of the body. Libby needs 24/7 care and is unable to sit, crawl or walk. She is severely delayed, having to have someone watch her at all times to check she is safe. She also needs postural care, is being treated for seizures and is fed through a feeding tube 16-hours-a-day.

Libby’s mum Kirsty said: “EACH is a massive part of our lives. Since that first devastating diagnosis when Libby was just three months old, we’ve been supported in so many ways by the incredible team there. From symptom management and hydrotherapy sessions for Libby, to sibling days for Libby’s brother Jake and respite stays for the whole family, I’m really not sure where we’d be without them.

“It’s heartwarming to know that there are fantastic people out there like those from Hobbycraft and Together for Short Lives who are going the extra mile to support families like mine across the country.”

Dominic Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of Hobbycraft, said: “We know first-hand from 10 years of partnership with Together for Short Lives just how much of a lifeline hospices are for families of seriously ill children. They are places full of life and joy, and give families the time and space to make precious memories – something that sits at the very heart of our partnership. While the trek really put us to the test, it is nothing compared to the hardship these families face every day, and we are so proud to play our part in supporting them.”

The Magnificent Seven were supported by Hobbycraft colleagues across the country, including those in Kings Lynn and Cambridge, who took on their own fundraising over the weekend to help reach the £50,000 target.

Since 2013, Hobbycraft has partnered with leading children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives. Each of their 116 stores is twinned with a local children’s hospice and Hobbycraft teams up and down the country have raised over £2.5 million so far through the partnership to support seriously ill children and their families, cared for by hospices like EACH.

Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives, said: “We’ve been so fortunate to have the incredible support of Hobbycraft for over 10 years and in that time, we’ve witnessed such compassion and creativity from them, not to mention eight years of trekking! The Angles Way Walk was challenging, but we were motivated every step of the way knowing we were walking through the vast area EACH covers, and just how many families they help every single day.

“I am so grateful to my fellow trekkers, and to the Hobbycraft teams up and down the country who fundraised throughout the weekend. The money raised will help us in our mission to make sure families like Libby’s have access to the best palliative care, when and when they need it.”

For more information or to sponsor the trek team, head to https://www.justgiving.com/page/hobbycraft-team-1691073354541

A business networking group launched to raise vital funds for charity is going from strength to strength.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) unveiled its Business Circle – a new corporate venture open to companies across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex – in June.

Members have the chance to build connections and attend events, while at the same time making a financial commitment to EACH.

The group has already caught the attention of companies across all four counties and a special brunch event recently took place at Royal Norwich Golf Club, hosted by MCB Financial.

“We had a fabulous, productive and positive day and are grateful to Mark Burton, from MCB Financial, for giving us this wonderful platform,” said EACH Corporate Fundraising Manager Caroline Allen.

“In addition to being extremely useful from a networking perspective, I’m pleased to say we secured ten new sign-ups.

“There were more great conversations with other attendees, with the potential for additional support moving forward.”

An added bonus was £560 being raised from a raffle where the top prize was a VIP box at Happy Christmas Ipswich – the music and comedy spectacular organised by EACH Patron Griff Rhys Jones and taking place at the Ipswich Regent on 4^th December.

The cost to join the Business Circle is £1,000 a year, including VAT, and membership includes the chance to visit one of the charity’s hospices.

Twelve supporters were given a guided tour of Milton on Friday and had the opportunity to find out more about EACH’s work. Another group are due to visit The Nook, in Framingham Earl, on 13^th October.

Members have the opportunity to sponsor events at a discounted rate, in addition to being a host venue for networking functions.

There are also PR opportunities, in addition to having exclusive use of the Business Circle logo for internal communications, as well as being featured on EACH’s dedicated Business Circle webpage and being listed in EACH’s Report and Accounts.

The first full Business Circle event, for both members and non-members (for whom the cost is £15), is being held at Bedford Lodge Hotel, in Newmarket, on 2^nd November. To sign up, head here.

“We rely on voluntary donations and a key part of our fundraising income comes from corporate friends and supporters,” added Caroline.

“This is a very special opportunity to cement that commitment, by pledging a certain amount every year – money that will make a tangible difference to the families, children and young people receiving our care and support.

“It’s also a golden opportunity for companies to come together and join us at one of our quarterly networking events.

“It will give them an opportunity to make new contacts and forge connections with businesses across East Anglia.

“Those who sign up will be helping us continue our vital work, offering a family-centred, needs-led approach to care and ensuring all the needs of the children and young people we care for are met – whether that be psychological, physical, emotional, social or spiritual.”

To read more or sign up, head here.

Alternatively, email Caroline via (caroline.allen@each.org.uk), Laura Southcott (Norfolk) via laura.southcott@each.org.uk, Hannah Forbester (Cambridge and West Essex) via hannah.forbester@each.org.uk, Billie Nugent (Suffolk and East Essex) via billie.nugent@each.org.uk or Rachel Mayes-Dally (Suffolk and East Essex) via rachel.mayes-dally@each.org.uk

A new survey on the Tourism, Leisure and hospitality sector has been launched this week by leading players in the sector to gather detailed financial details from across the sector to establish the true cost to the sector of this pandemic.

“All the businesses in this sector are facing huge challenges that nobody would ever have imagined they would experience” said Chris Scargill, Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality specialist partner at MHA Larking Gowen, the business advisors.  “While some parts of the sector are in the early stages of re-opening, the vast majority are hoping the potential date of 4 July is a reality and regulations eased then, but it is accepted that some parts of the  sector are likely to be last to be released from lockdown.  Even when they open, they will have to operate in a completely new way, with greatly reduced capacity and revenue, whilst working with expensive and challenging guidelines.

There are some big challenges ahead and in light of this we have been working with some key tourism and leisure business leaders across the sector to create a survey researching the likely outcomes over the next nine months”.

One of the key players party to the creation of the survey and the importance of this research is Ian Russell MBE of Wroxham Barns and Chairman Where to Go in North Norfolk. He said “There are many organisations working on behalf of the tourism, leisure and hospitality sector, lobbying Government on the local industry’s behalf. MPs in Norfolk and Suffolk have been supportive of the sector and they too are doing all they can to represent businesses and fully understand the jobs the sector has created.   

“The Government’s support via the Job Retention Scheme, CBILS, Bounce Back and business support grants have all helped support most businesses through this period of closure, but these programmes may not be sufficient to take businesses safely through until more positive times return.

I feel this type of research is really important, and we need the businesses in the sector to get behind the survey.  In asking for sector support from Government, businesses understand that they have to evidence the complex set of pressures which could cause that “perfect storm” next winter”.

The surveys launch has been facilitated by the group issuing a letter to other key business owners, highlighting the need for the collection of business data. In addition to Ian Russell and Chris Scargill, the signatories to the survey include Dr Andy Wood of Adnams who is also Chair of Visit East of England and a member of VisitEngland Advisory Board, Andrew Hird, Chair of Visit North Norfolk, Martin Dupee a Director of both, Norfolk & Suffolk Attractions and Visit East of England, Peter Williamson, Chair of Norfolk & Suffolk Tourist Attractions and Greg Munford, Chief Executive Director, Richardson’s Boating Holidays and Holiday Parks and also Chair of British Marine.

Andrew Hird said “A key priority for businesses is keeping their teams and customers safe. Early research is indicating that guests are very unsure about visiting hospitality venues until they are sure that they can be kept safe. Notwithstanding all endeavours to reassure and comply with government guidelines, it is not clear when customer confidence will return, and that will have an impact on business performance.”

Martin Dupee said “we know our local attractions are working hard to open and operate safely.  We know that on opening the local, loyal customers will visit first, and looking after them is essential. In doing so, however, businesses face further financial hardship due to investment and management of those provisions – creating than normal costs at a time of lower capacity and income.

Peter Williamson, chair of Norfolk and Suffolk Tourist attractions added “There has been a lot of general commentary on the sensitivity of the situation, but there is now a clamour for real facts, which this survey intends to provide. There is widespread concern that the “three winters” scenario will put a significant number of businesses and jobs at risk.”

Chris Scargill added “The survey does require some time to pull the numbers together, but it is the key numbers that will give us the evidence we need”. 

The survey, which can be paused, saved and returned to is available online only.  If you would like to support the survey, please contact tourism@larking-gowen.co.uk.

OCTOBER 2023 — Entrepreneur Kelly Cartwright wowed guests at the National Federation of Builders’ Top 100 Influential Women in Construction (WIC) Awards last night, wearing a showstopping gown fashioned entirely from PPE to highlight the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in the sector.

The owner of Core Recruiter, a specialist construction recruitment company based in Norwich, was nominated for the Local Hero (Eastern Region) category. Her neon-orange dress was specially made for the event by dressmaker Hannah Wilde and was paired with her steel-toe-capped boots to complete the look.

“This dress is my armour,” states 31-year-old Kelly. “I asked Hannah to make it because I wanted to feel strong and confident at this year’s ceremony.

“I feel most comfortable out on a building site, wearing my PPE. I don’t feel that way in a ballgown at an awards ceremony. You can only be comfortable when you wear something that truly resonates with who you are, so I’ve often joked about going to an event in my PPE!

“Women always power dress for confidence. For instance, wearing a blazer might make you feel powerful, or popping on your favourite heels might put an extra swing in your step. Clothes are a powerful way to express yourself, while shielding vulnerabilities, insecurities or buried emotions. Why should it be any different in construction?”

As the winner of last year’s Ally award, Kelly is vocal about the importance of authenticity in the sector, living by her motto ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’.

By making her own career path highly visible, she hopes to encourage more equality, diversity and inclusion into the industry, bringing unique skills and perspectives with them. And armour can help to quell anxiety about bucking industry stereotypes.

As a woman who has worked in the construction sector for more than a decade, she emphasises that you should be comfortable with who you are and not change your identity to suit your industry. You may sometimes feel that your differences make you vulnerable, but if you’re driven and are good at what you do, your differences should be no limit to how far you can go.

It’s important to note that Kelly has also allowed her vulnerability to be as visible as her success, demonstrating that everyone experiences moments of insecurity. She recently opened up about her struggles with anxiety, showing that social media doesn’t paint an honest picture of success. Earlier this year, she published images of herself getting ready for an awards ceremony on LinkedIn, with an anxiety-induced rash visible on her chest.

She used the photograph to highlight that although she may seem confident on the outside, she often suffers from doubt, Imposter Syndrome and anxiety – particularly at awards ceremonies and public-speaking events. She wore armour at this year’s WIC Awards to simultaneously shield and draw attention to her feelings of vulnerability.

The dress is also a nod towards the Chartered Institute of Building and Construction Management magazine’s #PPEthatfits campaign, which highlights the lack of diversity in protective equipment, and how this is having an impact on safety on site, while also hampering the industry’s ability to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

Their research found that the majority of protective clothing isn’t suitable for a diverse workforce, potentially leaving them at risk on building sites. By using 6 extra-large hi-vis vests to make a dress, Kelly hopes to reinforce the need for change in this area, to ensure everyone feels both confident, inclusive and safe on building sites.