Local News in brief

Pace 3 Peaks 24hr Challenge

My latest ‘training’ event for the 24hr challenge - which is less than 7 weeks away as I write this - was the Pace Big Walk - 18 miles along the Ridgeway with most of the team that I’ll be doing the 3 Peaks with, of which I am the 'elder statesman’, so to speak!

I say most of the team as one of us, who has a child with cerebral palsy, has only limited time to train due to the demands of caring for her, so he couldn’t join us on the day. Reading his profile page made me realise why Pace…and fundraising through this event…is so important. Here is an excerpt from his page, used with his permission: My daughter, *****, has severe cerebral palsy. There is a long list of things she can’t do (swallow, speak, walk etc) but that’s not important. What is important is the list of things she can do and is determined to achieve. She is bright, curious and incredibly determined and her drive to learn and live life to the full makes me the proudest daddy in the world. This is where Pace comes in, their incredible team give kids like ***** the therapy, education, skills and support to achieve and live amazing lives.

https://thepacecentre.enthuse.com/pf/paulhammett/post/1567659

Thank you all who have sponsored me so far that has helped me to get to 37% of my target. With less than 7 weeks to go, it will be great to get to over 100% as I spend more time preparing for the walk…and I thank you in anticipation of that.

Paul Hammett

Bucks Volunteer Matching Service

The Buckinghamshire Volunteer Matching Service has matched its 1500th volunteer in the county – a great milestone and also something which may encourage other Bucks residents to consider volunteering and registering with the Service.

There are over 65 volunteer roles ready to be filled – see opportunities on the Volunteer Matching Service webpage - https://communityimpactbucks.org.uk/ buckinghamshire-volunteer-matching-service/

Wendover Celebrates is back on!

We are thrilled to announce that the event has been rescheduled to Saturday 5 November 2022. In short - bonfire, fireworks, music, food and drink - full details to follow soon.

Pedal power raises over £22,000

In April 437 cyclists pedalled their way around the routes of the Hemel Hillbuster to raise funds for DENS - and what an amount they raised!

Organised by the charity, DENS, and in association with British Cycling, the sportive attracted cyclists and clubs from the south east and further afield (including Sheffield!), who helped raise more than £22,000. Every penny of this will go towards helping rebuild the lives of local people facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion.

For more information about DENS, please visit www.dens.org.uk.

Ana's Scannappeal Easter Challenge

Ana, with her husband Jason, owns and runs J Brown Funeral Services (advert page 6) based in Amersham and Wendover. Ana enjoys a challenge and in April took part in the Ultra Challenge 50k Easter Challenge in aid of Scannappeal. Ana chose to support the Scannappeal Robot Appeal in recognition of the vital work Buckinghamshire hospitals do for the local communities. Many congratulations on raising over £800!

Haringtons nominated for prestigious hairdressing awards

Haringtons in Wendover has been shortlisted for not one but two prestigious awards at HJ’s British Hairdressing Business Awards 2022. The Marketing Campaign of the Year title, sponsored by Phorest Salon Software and The Customer Service Award, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.

The awards - now in their 24th year - recognise the hardworking names that have built outstanding salon businesses, helping to make British hairdressing the most respected in the world.

Fancy a walk with an Alpaca?

West Leith Farm in Tring offers you the opportunity to walk for 30-45 minutes with one of their alpacas whilst taking in the views around the farm. Maximum of two people to an Alpaca. To lead an Alpaca by yourself you must be aged 12+. Details on www.westleithfarm.co.uk

Ashridge Home Care

In March, Ashridge Home Care appointed a new Managing Director, Mitch Miller, to work alongside company founder Trudi Scrivener. Miller joins at a time of change for Ashridge. The head office team has moved into bigger newly fitted out offices, still in Amersham. The new site has a dedicated training room, standalone breakout lounge area and kitchen for carers to make use of and offers meeting facilities for customers and carers. See Ashridge Home Care advert page 21.

The Film & TV Academy

The Film & TV Academy is an Aylesbury-based children’s activity club where students come to create film & TV projects using professional film kit, and guided by industry professionals. FTA was launched by Gabriel Steele & Jamie Coe, two award winning filmmakers and best friends, who run film production company Steele & Coe Films. More info and details available at: www. ftacademy.co.uk.

Buckinghamshire Culture Open Weekend

28-31 July 2022 Open Weekend is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the range and breadth of creativity and culture taking place in Buckinghamshire.

In 2022, Open Weekend will have theme of ‘green and trees’ – sharing, collecting and celebrating stories of our landscape and green spaces, and inspiring fun creative activity. More info coming soon.

Hospice of St Francis Summer Series

The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted is a charity which helps 2,000 local people and their families, in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Hospice is running a series of fundraising events this summer which includes:

• Car Boot Sales 11/6, 9/7 13/8

• Classic & Special Interest Car Show 17/7

• Dog Show 24/9

For more information please visit www.stfrancis. org.uk/summerseries.

Local charity seeks volunteers for busy summer holidays

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity are seeking temporary volunteers to help in their shops across Buckinghamshire over the busy summer holiday period. The Charity has shops based in Aylesbury on the High Street, Broadfields and Walton Court, Chinnor, Haddenham, Thame, Wendover, Buckingham and Winslow as well as an online retail team based at their Furniture Showroom in Aylesbury. To find out more, visit the Charity’s website at www.fnhospice.org.uk/summertemps or drop into your local shop to speak to the Shop Manager.

The Superhero charity walk!

The Pace BIG WALK is an annual event that sees hundreds of walkers take on an 18, 12 or 6 mile route across part of the Ridgeway Trail between Watlington and Wendover, raising money for the charity. This year’s BIG WALK had a sprinkle of something extra special about it as many of the children who access the specialist school and therapy centre for children with neurodisabilities, completed the Superhero Mile! Together, all of our BIG WALK SUPERHEROES have raised over £20,000 and the total is still climbing.