Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Vicky The Volunteering Bear will be in The Town Centre on Wednesday 5th June, talking to local volunteers and thanking them for the wonderful contribution they make to the local community.

West Norfolk Voluntary & Community Action in partnership with the Time Credits Programme, will be giving away vouchers to volunteers that will enable them to get a free hot drink and piece of cake as well as a ‘Thank You’ certificate from The Community Coffee Bar at the Borough Council on Wednesday 5th June 10am – 2pm.

It’s all part of this year’s Volunteers’ Week an annual campaign which takes place on 1-7 June focusing on saying ‘Thank You’ to the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society.

Every year, over 20 million people across England and the UK volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy. Services and initiatives that are vital to the running of our country simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for volunteers.

For further information please contact marie@westnorfolkvca.org or telephone Marie on 01553 760568

A special series of Shwopping events has been planned for 20 -23 May. During the events people will be able to donate old clothing and textiles for recycling by M&S and Oxfam.

People who donate will be rewarded with a special M&S voucher (which gives a £5 discount when the bearer spends £35 or more on clothes, home or beauty products at M&S), along with a choice of either a 7-day free pass for Bodyworks to be used at any centre between 1 and 30 June, a free junior swim voucher to be used between 1 and 30 June or a voucher which can be redeemed against a roll of caddy liners at council reception points between 1 and 31 July.

On 26 April 2012 Joanna Lumley launched the M&S and Oxfam Shwopping project, which aimed to create a ‘buy one, give one’ culture on the high street, encouraging people to donate any old clothing or textiles to Oxfam by dropping them in the Shwop box when they purchased an item of clothing in M&S.

Oxfam would then either sell the items in their shops, send them overseas to be reused as clothing in places like Africa and Eastern Europe, or they would be recycled and money received would be used to fund further Oxfam projects. The quality of the items donated doesn’t matter, as even worn out clothes can be recycled and their fibres used.

According to M&S research, nationally 1 billion items of clothing are being sent to landfill every year, wasting a valuable resource and doing nothing to help the environment – a situation that is clearly not sustainable.

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, which has recently introduced a food waste collection service, is actively working to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Teaming up with M&S and Oxfam on this initiative was a perfect fit.

Hayley Kurt, Marketing and Development Manager, said: “Many people already donate their old clothes to charity or recycle them using textile banks. This initiative is to raise awareness amongst others about the benefits of digging out those unloved items from the back of the wardrobe and donating them to charities such as Oxfam. The old clothes have a value – either in being re-used by other people as clothing or by being recycled. By diverting old clothes and textiles from landfill, we are also helping to keep council tax down and helping to protect the environment.”

Paul Rich, Marks and Spencer Store Manager said: “M & S is delighted to be working with the council and the local community on this initiative. We introduced ‘shwopping’ in all our stores a year ago and it has gone from strength to strength. This is a chance for more people to become involved in the shwopping revolution. It’s exciting to see both M & S and the council leading the way on recycling to achieve our environment goals.”

The borough council Shwopping events take place as follows:

Simply bring along any old items of clothing to the drop off point in the reception areas at the venues to receive the vouchers. Only one set of vouchers per person (not per item of clothing). Leisure vouchers must be redeemed between 1 and 30 June.

Cllr Brian Long, Borough Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Diverting waste from landfill is one of our key priorities. The food waste service we introduced in April of this year has already seen several hundred tonnes of food being turned into compost rather than being sent to landfill. If we can encourage people to also donate their old clothes so that they can be reused or recycled, then together we are going to really make a difference. We hope the incentives that we are providing with M&S, will prompt people to participate and to start thinking in a different way about their unwanted outfits.”

For further information about recycling initiatives at the borough council contact Hayley Kurt on 616200.

For more information about Shwopping, visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/donate-goods/mands-and-oxfam-shwopping

*The free junior swim voucher for Oasis, St James and Downham Market Leisure Centre will entitle the holder to a free junior swim. Juniors under the age of eight must be accompanied by a paying adult. Free Junior swim is valid for children aged 5-15.

*The 7-day free pass for Bodyworks can be used at Lynnsport, Downham Market Leisure Centre, St James Swimming and Fitness Centre and the Oasis.

Looking to try sailing or windsurfing? Want to get back out on the water? Fancy trying something new with the family?

The Royal Yachting Association Push the Boat Out on the 18-19 May 2013 is a fantastic opportunity to experience sailing and windsurfing.

RYA clubs and centres across the country are offering a range of ‘have a go’ and taster sessions on Push the Boat Out Weekend so getting involved could not be easier!

Clubs participating in Norfolk are:

Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club bssc.net
Hickling Broad Sailing Club hicklingbroad.com
Norfolk Broads Yacht Club nbyc.co.uk
Snettisham Beach Sailing Club snetbeach.co.uk

Blood donors will be recognised all over the world this month as internationally acknowledged World Blood Donor Day is set to take place on Friday 14th June.

Falling during National Blood Week (10th to 16th June 2013), World Blood Donor Day recognises the birthday of Dr Karl Landsteiner who discovered the ABO blood group in 1901.

Blood donation and blood grouping are as important as ever. Hospitals across England and North Wales need around 7,000 units of blood every day, and it is vital that NHS Blood and Transplant collects the right amount of the different blood groups to provide the blood patients rely on to survive.

Individuals across this region have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and donate at a number of donor sessions in June.

List of local sessions:

Tuesday 4 June
Gaywood Church Rooms, Gayton Road PE30 4DZ
1.00pm – 3.30pm and 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Tuesday 11 June
Downham Market Town Hall, Bridge Street, PE38 9DE
1.00pm – 3.15pm and 4.30pm – 7.00pm

Tuesday 25 June
Gaywood Church Rooms, Gayton Road PE30 4DZ
1.00pm – 3.30pm and 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Wednesday 26 June
Heacham Social Club, 13 Station Road, PE31 7HG
1.00pm – 3.30pm and 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Derek Carr, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHS Blood and Transplant for the Anglia area, said:

“During this year’s National Blood Week, we are hoping to encourage people in the local area who have never given blood before to commit to give blood for the first-time and to remind those who have not given for some time, to come back and donate.

“Please come and help us to provide the blood that hospitals and their patients need. A donor saves and improves lives every time they donate – and you could too!”

Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7st 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

For more information or to book an appointment visit www.blood.co.uk or contact 0300 123 23 23.

A Community Coffee Bar based on the ground floor of the Borough Council Offices is celebrating it’s Ist Birthday.

Anyone buying a hot drink on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (14th, 15th and 16th May) will get free homemade cakes to help celebrate the milestone, as a small thank you to loyal customers.

The Coffee Bar has sold over 4,000 hot drinks and trained over 30 volunteers during its first year.

The Community Coffee Bar concept came about 18 months ago, when West Norfolk Voluntary & Community Action came up with the idea of opening a coffee bar and staffing it with volunteers from some of the more vulnerable groups in the community, who would not usually be approached and offered volunteering opportunities.

WNVCA worked closely with CSV, Forward Day Centre and The Purfleet Trust. These groups work with clients who have physical and learning difficulties and also with people who have experienced difficulties with housing and homelessness.

The project was not designed with profit in mind – the Coffee Bar simply had to make enough money to cover its running costs. It’s primary aim was to bring back a service that staff and visitors missed, getting local people more involved in their local community and giving vulnerable people an opportunity to volunteer. Through the project volunteers learn new skills such as cash handling and customer service, whilst improving their confidence to do something that could in the future help them to get employment or move onto other volunteering opportunities.

Quotes from volunteers:
“I look forward so much to my shift at the coffee bar”
“It really makes me happy to come to the coffee bar”
“It’s the best day of my week when I work in the coffee bar”

Quotes from our Customers:
“Its really great to see the service back again the Borough Council and the volunteers do a wonderful job”.
“The coffee is delicious and I am very impressed with how quickly your volunteers have taken to the Project”

WNVCA is a support and development organisation that supports community groups, charities and voluntary organisations in West Norfolk.

westnorfolkvca.org

GEAR 10k RESULTS and PHOTOS

Photos: Alan T Shearer and John Beck

VIDEOS ~ GEAR 10k Run

First 100

1 30:45.5 Tadele Geremew Elswick Harriers Male Senior 1 30:45.5
2 31:36.6 Mathew Almond Birchfield Harriers Male Senior 1544 31:36.6
3 31:59.5 Steve Robinson Saint Edmund Pacers Male Senior 1012 31:59.5
4 32:20.8 Sullivan Smith Cambridge & Coleridge AC Male Senior 5 32:20.8
5 32:29.4 Ashley Sabin Leicester Coritanian AC Male Senior 1352 32:29.4
6 32:44.9 John Pike Newham & Essex Beagles AC Male Senior 1303 32:44.5
7 32:53.3 Andrew Inskip Bedford & County AC Male Senior 811 32:53.3
8 32:57.8 Paul Holley Newmarket Joggers MV40 1788 32:57.8
9 33:22.7 Tom Bracegirdle Muddy Mucky Munkeys Male Senior 645 33:21.7
10 33:28.7 Stu Huntington City Of Norwich AC Male Senior 1810 33:28.7
11 33:47.4 John Battrick Male Senior 1791 33:47.4
12 33:55.1 Jack Bowden Cambridge & Coleridge AC Male Senior 1453 33:54.8
13 34:13.1 Mark Grubb Norfolk Gazelles AC Male Senior 925 34:13.1
14 34:20.9 James Cordwell Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC Male Senior 1438 34:20.9
15 34:30.3 Stuart Nelson Wellingborough & District AC Male Senior 1136 34:29.9
16 34:39.2 James Oneill Ryston Runners Male Senior 1424 34:39.2
17 34:49.0 Chris Merrylees North Norfolk Beach Runners Male Senior 1658 34:48.2
18 34:55.9 Jonathan Laybourn West Norfolk AC Male Senior 436 34:54.6
19 34:57.8 Michael Eccles Norfolk Gazelles AC Male Senior 1296 34:56.8
20 34:59.2 John Uff Huntingdonshire AC Male Senior 187 34:58.0
21 35:05.0 Lee Martin Springfield Striders RC MV40 1695 35:04.7
22 35:06.8 Gary Wilberforce Ely Runners Male Senior 315 35:05.6
23 35:14.8 Faye Fullerton Havering Mayesbrook AC Female Senior 1144 35:14.0
24 35:24.2 Michael Bridgeland Chelmsford AC MV50 1650 35:24.2
25 35:32.3 James Senior City Of Norwich AC Male Senior 1796 35:32.2
26 35:35.1 Mark Thompson Great Yarmouth Road Runners Male Senior 1069 35:35.1
27 35:57.6 Nicole Roberts Birchfield Harriers Female Senior 914 35:57.4
28 36:04.9 Iain Wood Cambridge & Coleridge AC Male Senior 1079 36:03.6
29 36:11.6 Andrew Larrington 4Life Triathlon Club Male Senior 1593 36:11.4
30 36:11.8 John Oakes Cambridge & Coleridge AC MV50 1124 36:09.6
31 36:24.0 Simon Mead Ramsey Road Runners MV40 1525 36:22.0
32 36:30.0 Adam Bamford City Of Norwich AC Male Senior 1103 36:27.2
33 36:30.2 Adam Matthews Ryston Runners Male Junior 1335 36:28.5
34 36:34.8 Stephen Pettit Ely Runners MV40 224 36:32.3
35 36:44.8 Michal Wegrzyn Male Senior 1645 36:43.8
36 36:47.7 Jack Trow Male Junior 1617 36:46.9
37 36:48.6 Robin Parker West Norfolk AC MV40 1477 36:47.0
38 36:50.3 Andrew Terry Wymondham AC MV40 937 36:46.7
39 36:52.2 Stuart Clarke Male Senior 1528 36:50.4
40 36:54.1 Nicola Rogers Run Evolve Female Senior 971 36:53.3
41 36:57.2 Chris Mooney Nene Valley Harriers MV40 1768 36:55.8
42 36:59.4 Che Plant Ryston Runners Male Senior 1439 36:56.7
43 37:12.3 Philippa Taylor Nene Valley Harriers FV40 854 37:11.1
44 37:16.4 Joseph Kirton Thetford AC Male Junior 883 37:15.5
45 37:20.3 Justin Kinsey Ryston Runners Male Senior 1018 37:17.5
46 37:31.0 Roger Holliday BRJ Run and Tri MV40 1198 37:28.9
47 37:34.9 Samuel James Sleaford Striders AC Male Junior 1108 37:31.6
48 37:37.3 Matthew Wortley Ryston Runners Male Senior 1731 37:34.4
49 37:39.2 Paul Lyon Lowestoft Road Runners Male Senior 819 37:39.2
50 37:39.6 Iwan Walters ANN*S-ARMY Male Senior 223 37:32.5
51 37:40.5 Bryony Proctor Aldershot Farnham & District Female Senior 1106 37:40.5
52 37:42.8 David Howard Male Senior 768 37:40.7
53 37:46.4 Ivan Holroyd St Neots Riverside Runners MV40 222 37:44.3
54 37:52.3 Marcus Hawkins Ryston Runners Male Senior 57 37:52.3
55 37:57.1 Mark Garrett Norwich Road Runners MV40 998 37:50.6
56 37:57.3 Ryan Honeyman Male Senior 997 37:55.6
57 38:09.6 Jo Coates Saint Edmund Pacers Female Senior 944 38:07.7
58 38:15.3 Benjamin Collison West Norfolk AC Male Senior 236 38:13.3
59 38:19.1 Sian Khan Birchfield Harriers Female Senior 880 38:18.6
60 38:19.9 Lynton Battrick North Norfolk Beach Runners Male Senior 1738 38:17.6

61 38:20.8 Matthew Parker Derwent Runners (Derby) Male Senior 1801 38:18.1
62 38:32.2 Lawrence Wade Coltishall Jaguars RC Male Senior 1766 38:30.5
63 38:44.6 Shane Draper Fenland Running Club MV40 850 38:43.0
64 38:46.3 Chris Tye Ipswich Triathlon Club MV40 871 38:43.3
65 38:50.7 John Lawlor Sleaford Town Runners MV50 367 38:49.5
66 38:53.2 Melissa Neal March AC Female Senior 8 38:52.1
67 38:55.8 Pete Johnson Norfolk Gazelles AC MV50 992 38:54.0
68 39:00.3 Shaun Kavaney TEAM BODYWORKS – DOWNHAM MARKET LEISURE CENTRE Male Senior 234 38:41.4
69 39:03.3 Tom Bobbins Terrington Tigers FC Male Senior 1514 38:57.8
70 39:04.7 Marie French Ryston Runners Female Senior 4 39:02.4
71 39:09.3 Jason Mountain Wymondham AC Male Senior 491 39:05.4
72 39:09.4 Steven Rix Dereham Runners & AC Male Senior 1077 39:07.8
73 39:12.1 Stewart Robins Ryston Runners MV40 755 39:07.7
74 39:13.6 David Fenton Stowmarket Striders RC MV40 973 39:10.1
75 39:14.7 James Goddard Jolly Sailors running crew Brancaster Staithe Male Senior 775 39:03.0
76 39:19.4 Richard Hammond Fenland Running Club MV40 1176 39:16.6
77 39:22.1 Wendy King Chelmsford AC FV40 1649 39:17.4
78 39:23.1 Ken Addis MV40 1071 39:18.9
79 39:24.5 Charlie Parr Cambridge Triathlon Club Male Senior 773 39:17.2
80 39:31.3 Sharon Elder Aldershot Farnham & District FV40 1631 39:29.9
81 39:35.1 Joshua Holman Male Junior 1570 39:20.6
82 39:37.1 Matthew Parr-Burman Jolly Sailors running crew Brancaster Staithe MV40 802 39:32.4
83 39:39.5 Daniel Guppy Kings Lynn Triathlon Club Male Senior 1409 39:37.8
84 39:41.8 Malcolm De Silva MV50 734 39:39.8
85 39:44.9 Steven Bowerman Ryston Runners MV40 1319 39:40.5
86 39:46.9 Martin Fox Thompson & Morgan Male Senior 724 39:42.6
87 39:48.5 Stephen Manning MV40 612 39:46.2
88 39:48.9 Michael Howlett Ryston Runners Male Senior 1651 39:44.3
89 39:52.6 Ruth Jones Nene Valley Harriers Female Senior 808 39:49.3
90 39:55.7 Richard Flutter Harwich Runners MV40 744 39:54.2

91 39:56.5 David Bowker Fairlands Valley Spartans MV50 1328 39:53.4
92 40:01.4 Mark Bredin TEAM BODYWORKS – LYNNSPORT MV50 759 39:52.4
93 40:04.0 Steve Childerhouse Wymondham AC MV40 1767 39:54.1
94 40:07.8 Sze-Ming Cheung Coltishall Jaguars RC Male Senior 1410 40:01.5
95 40:10.4 David Burton Sleaford Striders AC MV40 741 40:06.4
96 40:13.2 Andrew Shelton Skegness Coasters MV40 1576 40:07.8
97 40:18.2 Stephen Church City Of Norwich AC MV50 1164 40:15.1
98 40:19.1 Rebecca Rowley Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club Female Senior 1358 40:17.9
99 40:28.0 Adam King Ely Runners Male Senior 1332 40:23.9
100 40:31.0 Lucy Chessor Ryston Runners Female Senior 1526 40:28.5

Full Results are Here

No party has overall control of Norfolk County Council after yesterday’s election in which all 84 seats were contested. The Conservatives are still the largest party, but UKIP has become the main opposition party with Labour relegated to the third biggest party on the Council.

The new Council comprises (old 2009 Council in brackets):

Conservative 40 (60)

UKIP 15 (1)

Labour 14 (3)

Liberal Democrat 10 (13)

Green 4 (7)

Independent 1 (0)

Immediately before this election the makeup of the Council was:

58 Conservative

9 Liberal Democrat

6 Green

5 Labour

2 Independent (1 was a Conservative, 1 was Liberal Democrat)

2 Vacancies (former Conservatives – one stepped down, one became Police and Crime Commissioner).

1 UKIP

1 Non-aligned (was a Conservative)

The County electorate was 670,383

The total number of votes cast was 215,465

The overall percentage turnout was 32.14%

Party gains and losses since 2009:

Conservatives lost 20 seats overall

Labour gained 11 seats

Liberal Democrats lost 3 seats

Greens lost 3 seats

UKIP gained 14 seats

Independent gained 1 seat.

Share of the vote in this election:

Conservative 32.6%

UKIP 23.47%

Labour 22.75%

Liberal Democrat 10.97%

Green 6.55%

Independent 3.27%

Christian People’s Alliance 0.13%

United People’s Party 0.02%

No description given on ballot paper 0.22%

Today’s results mean no party has overall control. The Conservatives are the largest party, UKIP is the main opposition party and Labour the third biggest party on the Council.

Party group meetings will be held over the next few days in the wake of the elections.

The results on the voting in this year’s County Council elections – King’s Lynn Area.

King`s Lynn North and Central [Map]

Turnout: 1413 (18.09%)
COLLIS David John (Labour) 1026
SMITH Thomas (Conservative) 387

Clenchwarton & King`s Lynn South [Map]

Turnout: 2168 (29.06%)
EDWARDS Jason (UK Independence) 631
KEMP Alexandra (Labour) 955
WHITBY David (Conservative) 582

Freebridge Lynn [Map]

Turnout: 2744 (36.27%)
BUBB Tony (Liberal Democrat) 76
DE WHALLEY (Green) 773
HOWMAN Gary Ian (Labour) 389
LAW Jason (Conservative) 917
MANLEY Neville (UK Independence) 589

Gaywood North and Central [Map]

Turnout: 1958 (26.38%)
COLLOP John Leonard (Labour) 625
LOVELESS John (Liberal Democrat) 158
MICKLEBURGH Jean (Conservative) 478
PERKINS Jim (UK Independence) 697

Gaywood South [Map]

Turnout: 2232 (22.83%)
COWARD Richard James (Liberal Democrat) 173
LANGWADE Michael (Conservative) 466
STONE Michael (UK Independence) 758
WILKINSON Margaret Rose (Labour) 835

BBC News – King’s Lynn incinerator is key Norfolk election issue

Norfolk County Council – Election 2013

On Sunday, 5 May 2013, the streets of King’s Lynn are once again set to be filled with runners and spectators as the annual Bespak Grand East Anglia Run takes place and last year’s winner of the men’s race, Tadele Geremew, returns to defend his title.

Last year the Ethiopian runner broke the course record, by winning in an amazing time of 30:18 beating the course record of 31:06 set by Paul Miles two years previously.

Around 1700 runners are expected to take part in the main event with a further 550 entries for the Mini-GEAR Fun Run, figures well above last years entries.

The race will set off from the town’s historic Tuesday Market Place at 10.30am and the course will take runners on a loop through the town centre, through The Walks and along the waterfront, showcasing some of King’s Lynn’s key heritage and retail areas.

Sports Development Manager and Race Director, Roger Partridge, said: “We’re set for a really exciting event this year. Tedele Geremew, from Elswick Harriers, who will be wearing Number 1, is back to defend the course record he set last year. Bryony Proctor from Aldershot Farnham & District AC is back to defend her ladies title too, with 32:51 being the time to beat in the ladies race set by Gemma Steel in 2011.

“The number of entries for GEAR is bigger than it’s been in the last four or five years, and combined with the amazing entry for the fun run, we’ll have the largest number of runners yet.

“Entries for the event are coming from all over the country, so GEAR is definitely building a big reputation. We’ve also got some strong corporate entries this year, who will no doubt be giving the Terrington Tigers a bit of a challenge..”

Roger continued: “We’ve had marvellous support from the community generally, with many local companies providing items for the goody bags, and of course the event would not be possible without the help and support of all the volunteers behind the scenes and on race day itself. The responses we’ve received to requests for help this year have been outstanding. We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity

Bespak’s new Managing Director Keyvan Djamarani said: “We are delighted to see the great response the race has received this year and to see the Mini GEAR Fun Run go from strength to strength. The whole event helps to encourage more people, especially young people, into taking up running as part of healthy lifestyle.”

The Tuesday Market Place will be buzzing with stands and stalls, including Pilch Sports from Norwich, who are also donating spot prizes for the event, Charming Rewards, Norfolk Hospice, Macmillan, Benjamin Foundation. Scotties Little Soldiers, King’s Lynn Rotary and RAF Recruitment. KLFM will also be broadcasting live from the event. Springwood High School’s top musicians will be spreading themselves around the GEAR course to entertain the runners as they go by. A string quartet in The Walks, a swing band in the Vancouver Centre and possibly something rockier too.

The King’s Lynn Samba Band will be going full tilt outside the Bank House on the South Quay to spur the runners on their way.

Roads, including London Road, King Street and Queen Street, will be closed from 9.45am until 12.30pm while the race is in progress. The Tuesday Market Place will be closed to vehicles from 8am until 2pm.

All car parks in the town, except Tuesday Market Place and Common Staithe Quay (behind the Corn Exchange), are open and can be accessed while the roads are open. Visitors planning to arrive after 9.45am or leave before 12.30pm should use the Multi-storey, Albert Street Car Park, Austin Street, Austin Fields, Old Cattle Market (Sainsbury’s), Blackfriars Street or Juniper car parks as these will all be accessible throughout the event.

It’s not too late to enter the event. Entries must be online and can be submitted until Friday, 3 May. The cost of entry is £17 for affiliated runners and £19 for unaffiliated runners. To enter, runners must be aged 15 or over on race day. The Bespak Mini GEAR is open to anyone over 6 years of age (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult). The cost of entry for Bespak Mini GEAR is £6.00 for adults, £5.00 for under 16s and £4.00 for under 8s.

There are generous cash prizes for Bespak GEAR category winners and everyone taking part will receive a quality medal and goody bag.

Runners can enter online now at www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk.

Every year, hundreds of runners take part in the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run in order to raise money for charities. Tapping House, Mind and The Purfleet Trust are just some of those that have seen the opportunies and have promoted the race as a way to raise sponsorship.

A charity new to the race this year, is hoping to raise funds as well as awareness of their organisation. FAN (Families Against Neuroblastoma), have recently opened a shop in Hunstanton to support their work, and this year, six families affected by this devastating disease haveentered either the Bespak GEAR orMini GEAR fun run on 5 May 2013. Children and parents will be dressed as superheroes, so people will be able to spot them on the course.

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive form of children’s cancer. Around 100 children a year are diagnosed, and more than half of those are diagnosed before they are two years old. There are three categories of the disease, low risk is often treatable with good outcomes expected, but the high risk category is much more difficult to treat and there is an 80% chance of relapse. The cancer is fairly symptomless and therefore most children are diagnosed at a late stage when the chance of survival is greatly reduced.

Many treatments are not available in this country, so the work of FAN is to raise money to help make the child’s life more comfortable or to find ways to enable their families to access further medical treatment.

Charlotte Rham, Fundraising and events manager of FAN, said: “This is a devastating disease, which has a huge impact on the whole family. We offer support and advice for affected families, but the most important thing we can do is help them to raise money for whatever it is their child needs. We felt that the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run and Mini fun run was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of our charity and to raise some much-needed funds for these children.”

Henry Allen,will be taking part in the fun run with his mum and dad, who areraising funds for FAN and Henry. He is superhero mad and is the inspiration for the superhero-themed costumesthat the FAN team will be running in.

Roger Partridge, Borough Council Race Director, said: “Entering the Bespak GEAR or mini-GEAR is a great way to raise money for your favourite charity. If you don’t have a favourite charity our website features charities that runners have supported in the past, which you may wish to support, you can even download a sponsorship form. There is still time to enter the Bespak GEAR.

Disabled people in West Norfolk could soon be benefiting from a new service being set up by the charity Scope.

Scope is looking to reach out to disabled people and their families to improve their health and well-being and be part of their local community.

Scope’s Community Organiser, Sara Brown said: “I will be coordinating a network of volunteer befrienders to visit disabled people in their homes, with the aim of encouraging them to take part in social groups and leisure activities, to build on their skills and assets so they can make a positive contribution to the wider community.”

Scope are looking for committed and friendly volunteers to support their work in the Norfolk area. Accompanying someone to a social event, supporting them to learn a new skill or even just being there to talk with – can make a lifetime of difference.

Volunteers don’t need any formal qualifications as Scope offers a full training programme and ongoing support.

To find out more about the service and how to access it, or to enquire about volunteering opportunities you can contact Sara Brown, Scope Community Organiser, on 07436 810 622 or email sara.brown@scope.org.uk

www.scope.org.uk

West Norfolk Mind are looking for people to help them celebrate Mental Health Week (13-17 May) by taking part in their ‘Miles for Mind’ events which will raise much needed funds by supporters taking part in a physical sponsored event. They are gathering a team for the first time in this years’ Grand East Anglian Run on 5th May 2013 and would love more runners to be part of the West Norfolk Mind Team.

Team member Peter Holman who works for Norfolk County Council said, “I have chosen to run for West Norfolk Mind because there are so many people struggling with mental health challenges these days (at least 1 in 5) it is very important to help mental health charities raise awareness of what help may be available.”

If running is not for you but you still enjoy a challenge you are invited to consider the 13 mile Sponsored walk organised from Downham Market to The Vancouver Quarter, King’s Lynn on 17th May. It is also possible to enter and walk half of that distance. West Norfolk Mind’s Bridge Builder Chris Cullen will be the walk leader and for further information and a sponsorship pack, please email zena.penty@westnorfolkmind.org.uk.

Zena Penty, Volunteer Co-ordinator said “We would love the local community to get on board with supporting our events, which will help improve their fitness and wellbeing and raise much needed funds.”

An interactive promotional day will be held in the Vancouver Quarter, King’s Lynn on 17th May in conjunction with Time to Change to raise awareness and await the arrival of the brave sponsored walkers. Anyone able to provide sponsorship for the event, tombola prizes or bandstand entertainment please contact Zena on 07585279215

West Norfolk Mind are a local organisation who have strong links with local communities, being based in King’s Lynn but with centres in Downham Market, Swaffham and Heacham. Their services are used by people young and old, employed and unemployed, and by people either relatively well or sometimes very ill.

Many workshops and activities are available to try. Anyone can attend and details of prices and recovery services can be found by visiting www.westnorfolkmind.org.uk or phoning 01553 776966.

Like many other charities, West Norfolk MIND had a really difficult 12 months with significant cuts to their funding. Because of the economic climate a significant number of vulnerable people are likely to experience a deterioration to their mental health if they cannot access the essential services. MIND’s aim is to provide these essential services but they cannot do this without adequate funding and the help of the community.

Two stalwarts of the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run have spoken about the benefits of running to encourage people to take up the sport and to enter the race.

Nic Bensley (42) and Pam Loveless (69) from King’s Lynn are two of just a few runners to have taken part in every single race since the first one in 2006 in The Walks, King’s Lynn.

Nic took part in his first competitive race in 1982 when he ran the King’s Lynn Half Marathon. He was inspired to take part after seeing running legends such as Seb Coe and Steve Cram. When he heard that the council was organising the Bespak ‘Great East Anglia Run’, he was pleased to be able to take part.

Nic has made the race his focus every year since the first event and has improved on his time year on year. Much of which he puts down to his membership of the Ryston Runners athletics club and his practice runs round the Walks on Saturdays as part of the King’s Lynn Park Run.

“We’re all born to run and it’s so good for your health. I would highly recommend using GEAR as a way to get into running. Enter the event and then just get out there and start training. Your time isn’t important, being active is. This is a fabulous event for the town and when you are running round the course, the noise from the crowd is amazing, and if you happen to hear your name being shouted, then that makes you go even faster.”

“Last year was a particularly good year for me, but I certainly had a battle on my hands. As I came down South Quay and onto King Street, towards the finish line, I could feel someone breathing down my neck. I couldn’t shake the contender off so just focused on an ‘eye balls out’ sprint finish. I ended up in a tie with Gavin Barron from Tri-Anglia and we both finished up winning the Duncan Gooderson Trophy for the fastest local runner.”

Nic has already entered this year’s event and his main aim is to finish in front of his girlfriend, Ryston Runners’ Marie French who was last year’s second placed senior woman.

Pam also began running in the 1980s when she was working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She used to run and walk between lamp posts on her way to and from work, gradually building up so that she could run greater distances without getting breathless. Pam felt it helped keep her more relaxed at work and helped her to cope with life’s ups and downs.

She entered the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run in 2006 as it presented a new challenge to her. Whilst she had been jogging for some years at this point, she felt she needed new motivation to keep up her exercise.

Pam said: “As you get older, it can get harder to motivate yourself to exercise. I feel stiff first thing in the morning as if my body has seized up overnight. By exercising regularly I can recover from this feeling quite quickly, and I know from research I’ve read, for people like the Arthritis Research Campaign, that exercising as your become old can really help reduce problems for your body.

“I love the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run because the course is wonderful, the people are so supportive and encouraging and the distance means that it is within most people’s grasp. I particularly like to run the course smiling and waving at all the spectators.”

This is the eighth year of the popular 10k race which starts and finishes in King’s Lynn’s Tuesday Market Place. For the third year, the race also includes a 1.2mile Mini-GEAR Fun Run, which is open to anyone aged 6 and over. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Competitors must be 15 years and over to take part in the 10k race.

The Bespak GEAR costs £17 for affiliated runners and £19 for unaffiliated runners to enter. To enter the Mini-GEAR it’s £6 for adults, £5 for under 16s and £4 for under 8s to enter Mini-GEAR.

For the first time this year Bespak GEAR plays host to the Eastern Veterans Athletics Club Championship. The EVAC Championships are an individual event for males and females with awards for the over 35s in 5 year age categories up to 70+.

Bespak GEAR is organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and sponsored by Bespak. There are generous cash prizes for Bespak GEAR category winners and everyone taking part will receive a quality medal and goody bag.

If you feel inspired to take up running, you can enter the Bespak Grand East Anglia Run by visiting www.grandeastangliarun.co.uk

You can also follow GEAR on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GEARKL or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Bespak-Grand-East-Anglia-Run-2013

The latest Get Into programme from Active Norfolk and the Borough Council is due to start in mid April and this time will feature the new fitness activity which is sweeping the country – Nordic Walking.

Nordic Walking originated in Finland in the 1950s but really took off in 1997 with the invention of carbon fibre poles. The Nordic walking poles were developed from Nordic Ski-ing poles.

Now, in a population of 5m people, over 1m take part in Nordic Walking in Finland and the activity is fast growing all across Europe. It’s a gentle activity with less strain on the knees and back than with jogging and it burns a high level of calories which helps people in the battle to lose weight. It strengthens breathing and heart function and of course it’s very sociable and accessible for all.

Mark Richardson is the local qualified coach who will be leading the 6-week course:

“I have been involved with outdoor activity all my life” said Mark. “Nordic Walking is a great activity which is easy for everyone to do and it brings so many health benefits. All you need is a set of poles and you’re off! I’d love to see a local Nordic Walking Club evolve just like the many ramblers clubs that exist.”

Mark will have poles available on the course for participants to use.

Get Into courses are for adults and aim to entice people to try out a new activity or come back to one they may have participated in some years ago. The up and coming programme has activities taking place across the whole borough with Basketball and Nordic walking at Lynnsport, Golf at King’s Lynn Golf Club, Archery in West Walton, Tennis in Leziate and Heacham and at Marshland High School and Netball at Smithdon High School in Hunstanton.

Borough council Sports Development Manager Roger Partridge said: “we are really pleased with this latest Get Into programme. There’s a great range of activities spread across various locations, which we hope will make it easier for people to participate.”

The Nordic Walking sessions will be on Saturdays at 11.30am starting 20th April at Lynnsport. To register on this or any other Get Into course book online at www.activenorfolk.org/getinto or call Active Norfolk on 01603 732334 or 732333.

West Norfolk Mind’s ‘Bits and Pieces for Mind’ furniture store has received a facelift to its furniture recycling business based in King’s Lynn.

Apart from selling good quality, budget priced furniture, they will now also stock bric-a-brac and a wide range of second hand books to browse through.

West Norfolk Mind are also developing a wood recycling project called Wood Recycling in King’s Lynn called WRinKL. The aim of the project is to give unemployed local people and West Norfolk Mind service users the opportunity to learn new skills, be creative, and produce saleable items to sell at their West Norfolk Mind charity shops and community events to raise much needed funds to support their services.

In addition to off-cut timber sales the range of items on sale include hand made wooden garden furniture, planters and bird boxes at very competitive prices, available to order in a variety of colours and can include delivery if required.

The project however needs to attract ongoing donations of new and used wood of any size to survive. These can include surplus or damaged timber, off-cuts and used timber, for example scaffold boards or boarding discarded after renovation work.

Bits and Pieces is self funding and reliant on a loyal team of volunteers who run the busy showrooms and van alongside employed staff.

Why not pop in, have a browse, take home a bargain or pick up some information about the other services West Norfolk Mind can provide.

Bits and Pieces is open from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 4pm Fridays so if you have furniture or other items you would like to donate, or would like to ask about what they have in stock, please give them a call on 01553 763193.