Local people have helped to raise over £8,500 so far for YMCA Sutton Coldfield at a fundraising event last Friday night that saw people spending the whole night in a DIY cardboard bed in the Gracechurch Centre.

More than 50 people took part at the event on 23rd March including local Cllr Clare Horrocks, helping to raise money for the local youth and children’s charity YMCA Sutton Coldfield. Participants included students from local BMET college and children from the Deanery Primary School as well as lots of local business owners.

Jack Dromey, MP for Erdington, also attended the fundraiser to offer encouragement to participants and raise awareness of homelessness suggesting that “in the 21^st century, there should be no such thing”.

With jazz music from The Five Knights of Nectar, and performances from YMCA’s own KKats Disability Group, there was something for everyone at this community event. Participants were also treated to hot soup later on in the evening courtesy of the nearby Ramada Hotel as well as Nando’s chicken.

It was all part of the national YMCA Sleep Easy series of events that saw YMCAs across the country come together to raise awareness and funds to prevent youth homelessness.

Kate Davarzadeh, 36, who attended the Sleep Easy for the first time, tells us more about the impact of the experience “The experience of sleeping rough for the night made me think a lot about what homeless people have to endure every night. It was cold, noisy and uncomfortable. I hope that the event will raise awareness about youth homelessness and that the money raised will help to provide somewhere safe to sleep for those in need.”

The total amount raised is still being calculated and the local charity is hoping to beat last year’s fundraising amount of £10,000. With a donation of £700 from School Farm Townswomen’s Guild and a cheque for £250 presented by Care Watch, all money raised will be used to support YMCA Sutton Coldfield’s services for children and young people.

Clive Yates, YMCA Sutton Coldfield’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re thrilled about the event’s success and I’d like to thank each and every one of the people who took part and spent the night out with us as well as all the local businesses who donated raffle prizes and food for the event.

“As an independent charity, we rely heavily on local support so we’re extremely grateful to the people of the Sutton Coldfield community who made this event possible.”

“Thanks to your support we can now help even more young people than before and support them to realise their full potential.”

YMCA Sutton Coldfield which has provided services to residents of Sutton Coldfield since 1900 and changes the lives of hundreds of young people and their families each year, not only provides accommodation to prevent youth homelessness but also supports disadvantaged young people and young carers as well as children and young people with disabilities.

If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for YMCA Sutton Coldfield please visit www.ymcasc.org.uk

A 19-year-old terrier - the oldest the RSPCA has ever taken in to rehome - has found his paw-fect match with a retired widow from Coventry.

Stormy was rescued by RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal earlier this month after he was spotted collapsed in a snowy garden in temperatures as low as -3C.

The animal welfare charity received an anonymous call on 2 March and inspector Boal was extremely concerned for the terrier - who is 92 in dog years!

His owners signed him over into the RSPCA’s care and Stormy was taken to the charity’s Birmingham Animal Hospital for a check-up before going into kennels at nearby Newbrook Farm Animal Centre.

Elizabeth Sidgwick, from Coundon, had been thinking about getting another dog when her daughter spotted Stormy’s story in the local press.

“I’d been looking for a dog for a while. I didn’t want a puppy, I wanted an older dog and I felt like I’d know when it was the right one for me,” she said. “And he is the spitting image of my previous dog, Barney, who I had for 15 years.”

She went to meet the senior pooch and knew he was the one for her. Stormy came home with Elizabeth on Sunday and is settling in brilliantly already.

“He is lovely - especially considering what he’s been through. He just wants to be loved,” she said.

“He can be a cheeky boy though. When you’re eating he thinks he should have some so he sits, stares at you and barks!

“He is just great. Everyone loves him!”

Despite a minor heart murmur and cataracts in both eyes - which have left him with poor sight - the plucky terrier is relatively healthy.

The Sick Children’s Trust is asking you to join in its choc-tastic fundraising campaign, Big Chocolate Tea, to support families with seriously ill children in hospital with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation.

Big Chocolate Tea is The Sick Children’s Trust’s biggest annual fundraising event for chocolate, tea and baking lovers – and is back this May for a whole month! Last year, chocola-tea enthusiasts held hundreds of show-stopping events which raised enough money to support 1,167 families with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, just minutes from their critically ill child’s hospital bedside.

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, located at leading specialist paediatric hospitals. Every year the charity provides much-needed emotional and practical support to around 4,000 families with seriously ill children in hospital. Although the accommodation is free of charge to families, the charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to run its houses and is calling for the nation to join in with Big Chocolate Tea so it can continue to help thousands of families stay together with their sick child when it matters most.

Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive at The Sick Children’s Trust, says: “Big Chocolate Tea is our biggest and most exciting fundraising campaign of the year! It’s all about getting together with friends and family over the nation’s two loves, cake and tea, while pledging to raise £30 which will support a family with a ‘Home from Home’ for one night when their loved one is in hospital.

“Whether you bake every Sunday or it’s your first time popping on a pinnie, Big Chocolate Tea is something everyone can get involved in. We will even give you a starter pack full of recipes, fundraising ideas and much more to help you on your way. Join us this May and help raise money for families who need a ‘Home from Home’ so they can be there with their critically ill child, supporting their recovery.”

Familiar faces Heart Radio presenter Sian Welby, Channel 5’s Milkshake! presenter, Jen Pringle, and Irish Soprano, Margaret Keys, are already getting involved in the chocola-tea fun. Sian Welby, an ambassador for The Sick Children’s Trust, says:

“After a busy week, there’s nothing I enjoy more than a night in with friends, watching a movie with a hot cup of tea, and indulging in my favourite chocolate treat!

“And what could be better than doing that while raising money for a fantastic cause? If you can help The Sick Children’s Trust by joining in Big Chocolate Tea and raising at least £30, you will be giving a family with a child in hospital the best gift of all. You will be keeping them together, just minutes from their child’s bedside.

“I’ve seen first-hand how much this charity makes a difference to Mums, Dads and kids across the country. You never think about someone you love being ill, but if they are, The Sick Children’s Trust comes to the rescue and makes sure you can all be together. Time is priceless, so please have a biscuit and a brew and help us change lives.”

While the campaign runs during the month of May, supporters can choose to take part in Big Chocolate Tea at any point during the year and will receive a pack full of goodies to help host their event. If participants raise at least £30 during Big Chocolate Tea, they will be able to support a family with ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for one night.

Dance fans are invited to take part in an afternoon of Ballroom, Popular Sequence and Latin at a Spring Gala Dance at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall next month.

The event, which will be held on Sunday 15th April from 1.30pm will use both of the Edwardian venue’s maple dance floors in the grand interior of the Town Hall’s Vesey Ballroom.

John Wallis, who organises regular dances at the Town Hall, has been dancing since the end of the Second World War. Originally trained as an engineer, he helped run the Erdington Youth Club at St Barnabas Church as a teenager, and built an amplifier for the dances at the Church House, Erdington.

“After running the youth club dances I taught myself to play the trumpet and formed a band called ‘The Maestros’” he remembers. “We used to play weddings and dances all around this area, and I’ve organised dances for most of my life.”

John regularly works with Arthur Barrett, known as ‘The Umbrella Man’ for his Gala Dances. “The Umbrella Man is a fabulous DJ, with a good range and tempo of music” added John.  “These events are always popular and he always makes it a memorable occasion. Shows such as Strictly Come Dancing have really encouraged a resurgence in the popularity of ballroom and the NHS highly recommend dance as a way of keeping active too.”

The first of four commemorative paving stones has been laid at the Tottenham war memorial sites in honour of WWI Victoria Cross recipients.

Four Haringey soldiers will be remembered as part the Department for Communities and Local Government campaign to recognise those who received the prestigious award because of their bravery in the face of the enemy.

The paving stones are laid during the centenary year of when each soldier carried out their heroic deed. Each stone is inscribed with the name of the soldier, their regiment and rank, and the date they received the award.

The first ceremony held on Friday 23 March honoured Tottenham resident, Lt Alfred Herring of the Royal Army Services Corps, who in March 1918, held off an enemy attack on the south bank of Montagne Bridge in France.

The Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Stephen Mann attended the event, along with members of the armed forces, school children from Bruce Grove Primary School, Ledley King, and the family of Lt Herring.

Speeches were delivered by the Mayor and senior military officer, Lt Col Steve Day. A one-minute silence was held to reflect on all those who have lost their lives at war. This was followed by a reading of the Victoria Cross Citation, a blessing, and the Exhortation (Act of Remembrance).

Cllr Mann said: We are delighted to have this opportunity to recognise these Haringey soldiers who fought and died in the war. The Victoria Cross is the highest of accolades and we feel privileged to assist in providing a long-lasting tribute to their memory and the sacrifices they made for their country.”

The programme for Lt Herring’s ceremony is available on the Haringey website, where you can also read more about all the Haringey Victoria Cross recipients. The next ceremonies are scheduled for April, May and November.