Local / community

Sussex, Kent and Berkshire businesses have won awards at the South East Business in the Community Awards for Excellence, recognising best practice in corporate social responsibility programmes.

Foresters Big Toddle for Barnardo's was launched today.

The Foresters Big Toddle For Barnardo's involves over 100,000 children aged 0 to five years walking half a mile to raise
money for other children in the UK. The children will 'toddle' all over the
country through 23 organised toddles taking place in June.

Retailer Argos has chosen children's charity Whizz-Kidz as its Charity of the Year for 2003-4.

The partnership launched on 2 May 2003 and kicks off with Argos staff and customers across the UK participating in a Big Blue and Yellow Weekend to raise money for disabled children and young people.

The British Heart Foundation is for the first time encouraging wider participation in its fundraising and awareness week by encouraging people to wear red.

Heart Week takes runs from 7-15 June 2003, and the charity is encouraging people to wear red throughout the week or at least on Friday 13 June. Of course, it is also encouraging people to make a donation of at least £1 as well.

A challenge to one member of staff has mushroomed into a company-wide year-long fundraising campaign for Diabetes UK by Bhs employees.

Diabetes UK Chairman, Sir Michael Hirst, yesterday received a £73,000 cheque from Bhs Director, Philip Green, at the company's head office in London. The cheque was presented following a year of fundraising activities by Bhs employees.

Schools across the UK are being urged to get involved in the Giving Nation campaign and win £1000 and an overseas trip.

Taking place in seven locations across the country, this one day course will help all fundraisers involved in the field to -

Proposed changes to the licensing of live music in England and Wales could threaten all forms of live music including carol singing, fundraising concerts and even people singing a capella in your garden for a party.

British Gas-sponsored Beacon Millennium is a plan to light beacons across the country on the night of 31st December and encourage local charity fundraising as part of the event.

The Lancaster Royal Grammar School has launched a Web-based alumni database which is aimed at building closer links with the school's alumni, but which should also enhance the quality of its alumni records.