Members News

Surviving Winter

Campaign

Kent Community Foundation’s annual Surviving Winter campaign to support the elderly and vulnerable will be more pertinent this year with the growing concerns over fuel price increases

Each year Kent Community Foundation launches its Surviving Winter Campaign to raise awareness of the number of avoidable winter deaths amongst the elderly and to ask those who receive a Winter Fuel Payment and do not need it, to donate it to help those who do. This year with the announcement of the rise to the energy price cap, the team at Kent Community Foundation is even more worried that thousands of older people across the county may not turn on their heating this winter.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation, said, “The colder winter months are an extremely dangerous time for older people, especially those who live alone. This year we are very concerned that with the energy price cap increasing many older people across the county will be even more worried about their fuel bills and may not turn their heating on.

“As we approach the colder months, we need to stress how important it is for older people to use sufficient heating to keep warm and safe from the many illnesses linked with not keeping warm. It is not widely known that energy suppliers have support packages to ensure the elderly and vulnerable can heat their homes, so if you’re struggling to pay your bill, we would encourage you to get in touch with your energy supplier to access the help that’s available.

“If just 10% of everyone in the county, who receives the Winter Fuel Payment, were to donate £100 to the Surviving Winter Campaign, we would have a Fund of more than £3 million to help our vulnerable elderly neighbours across the county. Therefore, we are asking those who receive the payment, but don’t rely on it, to donate it to others. But you don’t have to be over 65 to give to this campaign, anyone who wants to give, even a small amount, will be making a significant difference to vulnerable, elderly people in the county and helping to reduce avoidable deaths.”

Money donated to the Surviving Winter Campaign will contribute to projects that support elderly and isolated people including lunch clubs and social events to help people stay in touch and keep active, workshops and advice, transport, befriending services, and schemes helping elderly residents with tasks including shopping or gardening.

Donations can be made online at www.kentcf.org.uk/give/

surviving-winter

Izzy PR appointed to launch Glow Arts illumination trail at Cobtree

Izzy PR is delighted to be working with visual arts and production company Glow Arts, to launch its first illumination trail at Cobtree Manor Park this winter.

The inaugural event from Glow Arts, which specialises in outdoor immersive illumination experiences, will see the Maidstone park transformed into a twinkling, magical wonderland complete with thousands of fairy lights, art installations and inflatables.

Izzy PR is supporting with the launch including media outreach, content creation and planning, website copy, design and photography.

Headed up by Lisa Carpendale, Glow Arts aims to create an accessible, inclusive event for visitors of all ages from Kent and beyond. Special sensory sessions will be included for guests who would prefer a more calm, low-key experience.

Lisa comments, “I realised by the middle of the summer that I had to enlist some professional marketing and PR help – to free up my time to organise and build the event.

I wanted to find someone local and creative and when I spoke to Sarah, I was sure we were the right fit.

“We’ve been very busy in these first few weeks and having Izzy PR with me is great – because they understand what I need and make it effortless! It's been so great having their support and not feeling like I'm doing it all alone.” Glow Arts at Cobtree Manor Park, Maidstone, runs from 15 – 31 December.

Tickets are available via the website: glowarts.co.uk

Brachers advises on Fire Action sale

Brachers’ corporate team has advised Paul and Louise Garry on the successful sale of Fire Action to Spy Alarms.

Kent-based Fire Action is one of the largest providers of commercial fire safety and security systems in the south east. The company specialises in the installation and maintenance of high-quality fire safety and security systems. Spy Alarms offers similar services in the south east and has grown rapidly over the past few years through acquisition.

Brachers has acted as legal advisors to Fire Action since 2014, when it advised Paul and Louise Garry on the successful buyout of Fire Action’s other founding shareholders.

The Brachers team was led by corporate partner, Matthew Simmonds, with support from solicitor Kieron Cummins and employment partner Antonio Fletcher. Matthew and the team advised Paul and Louise throughout the deal, negotiating deal terms and terms of ongoing involvement. Nick Parrett and Joshua Vincent at Azets provided accounting and taxation support. Andrew Shepherd, Rob Rickard and Steve Wadsworth at Entrepreneurs Hub acted as lead advisory.

Matthew Simmonds said: “Paul and Louise worked tirelessly to turn Fire Action into the hugely successful business that it is today. I’m so pleased to have helped them achieve a successful sale to a trade buyer who will help the business to continue to flourish.”

Paul Garry, owner of Fire Action, said: “It’s been great to have Matt and his team advise us on this important milestone for us and our business. We have a long-term relationship with Brachers and they have an in-depth understanding of our business, so we had no doubt that they would achieve a successful exit for us.

“Their legal expertise and commercial acumen have been a great asset to us over the years and Louise and I want to thank them for all their hard work.”