Charities & Volunteering

The P&A Group soared to new heights at Longleat and Staffordshire balloon festivals as sponsor of a hotair balloon marking the 25th anniversary of Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice. The company’s logo features on the balloon alongside a handful of local and national businesses.

Nightingale House provides specialist palliative care services, free of charge, to patients and their families across an area from Wrexham, Flintshire and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns.

Steve Morgan, P&A Group’s managing director said: “I’m

Charities&Volunteering Up, up LADIES LUNCHED and away Cheshire-based children’s cancer charity The Joshua Tree hosted a Ladies Lunch at Delamere Manor, Cuddington and raised £21,000. TV presenter Bruce Turner welcomed the 140 guests, highlighting the importance of the charity’s work and sharing the story of Noah’s family, who lost their son to cancer aged only four, and still receive support from The Joshua Tree. Guests enjoyed a fizz reception and two-course meal while entertained by Gary Barlow tribute Dan Hadfield and saxophonist Saxomad, a live auction and raffle. Turner said: “I thoroughly enjoyed Ready for lift-o attending and helping raise vital funds thrilled that the balloon has for families affected by the devastating taken its first voyages. It looked impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis.” fantastic and it was great to Pippa Watson-Peck, communications see the P&A Group and fundraising manager for The Joshua logo soaring high Tree said: “We are over the countryside. astounded by the The charity does generosity of our sterling work in our guests. The Joshua local community.” Tree can make a real Laura Parry, head of and lasting difference income generation at with this support. On Nightingale House said: “We are average we receive 15 grateful for the support of our new referrals A year, corporate sponsors. The Build but the last six months A Balloon campaign has been have seen 47, a record a huge boost for the hospice.” high for the charity.” “We can make a real di erence with this support” “It was great to see the P&A logo soaring high” Toasting a successful event

SMALL WOODS PROJECT GETS A BIG BOOST

AShropshirebased charity has secured £35,000 funding towards its work helping ex-service personnel make the transition to civilian life. Small Woods Association, based at the Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale, was awarded the grant by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

Small Woods runs sustainable woodland management and social forestry projects, courses and events across the country. Chief executive Ian Baker said: “We are committed to reinvigorating work opportunities within the sector and are helping to highlight them for people coming out of the Armed Services. Participants will undertake a programme of woodland work, taking them out into woodland for the many mental and physical health benefits it can provide, and pointing up opportunities for volunteering or employment.”

It is hoped similar programmes can be delivered in other areas. Top Shropshire chef Stuart Collins joined fellow culinary stars to create an exclusive feast raising £266,000 for the NSPCC. The Great Chefs Dinner brought together five leading chefs at London’s iconic Guildhall, where guests were treated to a fivecourse menu.

Collins, a finalist of the BBC’s Great British Menu, runs Docket No. 33 in Whitchurch. He said: “The dish I created was a rose veal and chicken agnolotti with oyster mushroom, truffle emulsion, sherry vinegar sauce and parsley crumb, which I was delighted to see everyone enjoyed! NSPCC offers vital support for children nationwide

and I’m proud to have been a small part of this year’s event.” Sharing the kitchen were Dan McGeorge from Rothay Manor, Great British Menu winner in 2021, Roberta Hall-McCarron of The Little Chartroom, Hywel Griffith of Beach House and Liam Goldstone, head chef at Morston Hall. The evening, supported by Direct Line Group, Ian Baker at the Green Wood Centre included a performance “Woodland by soprano work can provide Lesley Garrett. Mike McGrath, NSPCC head of partnerships said: “We are many health grateful for the fantastic amount benefi ts” raised. These funds will ensure we can continue our Speak Out, Stay Safe programme to help keep children safe from abuse.”

FUNDRAISING FEAST

Collins (second left) and fellow chefs

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Legal Eagle

Putting your children first during separation

Ceri Jones, a family law specialist at Allington Hughes, reveals a new source of support

Separating is never easy: having to adapt to change and make difficult decisions at a time of conflict, whilst your emotions are running high. Managing your child’s emotions and making new arrangements for their future adds an additional layer of complexity. It can be hard to think clearly during such periods of upheaval, but it is essential that as parents, the welfare and emotional needs of your children are a priority.

As a solicitor specialising in Children Act matters, witnessing children becoming embroiled in the crossfire of separation is regrettably a recurring theme. Clients find it difficult to navigate their feelings towards their former partner in the presence of their children. Yet research shows that when parents expose children to conflict, it can impact upon their emotional and mental health and diminish their ability to form healthy relationships in the future.

We therefore welcome with open arms the comprehensive guide from Resolution (a national family justice support group) to assist with these complex emotional issues and help parents gain a practical understanding of how they can put their child first. Parenting Through Separation (free to download at resolution.org.uk) provides support on a range of issues that can crop up. Every child will react differently when their parents are separating, and the guide identifies key behaviours to look out for and advises

“There is emphasis on amicability the most appropriate response, enabling you to tailor your approach to best meet your child’s needs. It offers useful guidance on adapting your methods of being the communication to suit the behaviours of principal your child and also your former partner. tone” When considering any Children Act application, the Family Court holds the welfare of a child as paramount. Involving children in adult issues or discussing adult matters with them is serious. This guidance can help ensure you act in their best interests at all times.

With the introduction of no-fault divorce fast approaching in April, there is an additional emphasis on amicability being the principal tone in family law proceedings. It is important that if you are separating, you get the necessary advice and support to help you be the pillar of consistency in a world your child may feel is crashing around them. If you need assistance with family law matters contact Allington Hughes on 01244 312 166 or visit www.allingtonhughes.co.uk

Are you putting your child first?