Anglian was represented at a very special event recently at Sandringham House in the presence of HRH, The Princess Royal.  HRH is Patron of Livabiity an organisation dedicated to working with disabled and disadvantaged people and enabling them to have choices, opportunities and a degree of independence in their lives.

Anglian’s Chief Executive Mr. Peter Mottershead and Melanie McDonald from the Marketing department were introduced to HRH and were able to explain directly to the Princess how Anglian are installing a conservatory into Livability’s latest project at John Grooms Court in Norwich.  Livability is hoping to raise almost £700,000 to embark on a major building initiative to enable the 20 young adults at John Grooms Court to have their own flatlet within the complex which will allow for individual kitchens and bathrooms.  Unlike most other accommodation in the area for disabled young people, residents have the opportunity to live independently and acquire new skills within a supportive environment.  Anglian conservatories will create a year round communal relaxation area which can be used for indoor gardening and other hobbies.

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An African holiday is going to be anything but sun and beaches for Cambridge’s installation manager Daniel Moore.

Daniel Moore getting ready for Enduro Africa

Although there will be an element of both, Daniel’s eight days riding on South Africa’s Eastern Cape in October will be a challenge! Together with other motorbike riders he will be taking on Enduro Africa. It will see them ride from Port Elizabeth to Durban along what is known as the wild coast. The 2,000 kilometre offroad trip, to raise money for four charities, will take in river crossings, steep ascents of mountains and rough terrain, as well as riding on beaches.

“Enduro Africa is a unique and challenging motorcycle adventure in  aid of 4 amazing causes – UNICEF, Sentebale – The Princes’ Fund for Lesotho, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Touch Africa”.

Daniel decided to undertake the ride after a friend successfully completed Enduro Africa two years ago, other participants have included Princes William and Harry.

 Meeting the challenge not only requires a certain amount of doggedness in the saddle, Daniel is hoping to raise £5,000. “Riders from all over the world take part,” he explained. “The money we raise goes partly to the charities, but it also funds buying the motorbikes we will be riding. “At the end of Enduro Africa the bikes are donated to local medical charities to help people like doctors and aid workers get to isolated villages to treat their patients. “We ride for 10 hours everyday. On day six we have a rest while the bikes are serviced. On that day we go to a local village and help with a project through one of the four charities we are supporting – Touch Africa”. “Last year the riders repaired and decorated a school and put together desks and chairs.”

A keen biker, Daniel’s usual riding takes in going to work, holidays or bike festivals. “I have had some great sponsorship from colleagues at Anglian already,” he added. “But it is quite a challenge to raise £5,000 and more help would be greatly appreciated please. “People can donate online at www.dans-enduroafrica-2010.co.uk, via a link to paypal.”

Anglian Home Improvements. Helping support people and communities since 1966..

Gareth Williams and his friends have succeeded with their epic cycle journey from Lands End to John O’Groats in memory of best friend Nathan Bray who died of bowel cancer last year.

Gareth and his friends at the start line in John O'Groats

 The 6 cyclists took ten days to complete the 874 mile journey and is the greatest distance between any two points in Great Britain.

Finish Line at Lands End - Job Done!

Throughout the journey friends, family and members of the public continued to donate money to a special Just Giving page setup for the fundraising journey. So far a massive £10,195.00 has been raised!

Just Giving - Nathan Bray Page

 After the event Gareth then jumped on a train and went to London and took part in Sunday’s marathon and managed to finish in an extremely respectful 4hrs and 45 minutes. This is an amazing accomplishment and the Blog Team have got to say a massive well done to everyone involved!

Anglian Home Improvements. Supporting local communities since 1966

 A visit to Loddon in January showed Group finance director Phil Tweedie just why the village is such a safe neighbourhood. Last year Anglian sponsored the Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Year award at the NOSCAs (Norfolk Safer Community Awards).

Phil Tweedie and PC Kevin Nightingale of Loddon’s Safer Neighbourhood Team with PC Sally Hammerton.

The winning team were Loddon’s PC Robert Hipperson, with PCSOs Donna Boggis. Kevin Nightingale and Christopher Rose. Phil, accompanied by marketing’s Melanie McDonald, saw just what a difference the team had made to people’s lives.

To begin with they are not based at the police station, but have an office at Loddon High School – putting them at the heart of the community. “We saw how this helps to make the team more approachable,” explained Phil. “The young people at the school get used to them and will talk to them if they have problems. “They also hold twice weekly surgeries at the local library where people can sit and have a chat. “They are more like the old fashioned bobby on the beat that everyone knew and would pass the time of day with.” Success in bringing people together to talk situations through can be seen with the example of young people gathering together in the evenings with their scooters. They were creating noise and were seen by an elderly resident and a young mum as a real nuisance.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team talked to the young people and recognised that they needed somewhere to meet. They also introduced the residents and the youngsters to each other. During the meeting both sides became people, rather than antagonists. It ended with the youngsters agreeing to cut down the noise. As a gesture of friendship they gave the elderly resident a box of chocolates in way of a peace offering. “The success this team has made to the safety and security people enjoy makes us very proud that Anglian sponsored their well deserved award,” added Phil.

Anglian Home Improvements formerly known as Anglian Windows. Supporting local communities since 1966.

The time has arrived for Gareth Williams and his friends epic charity challenge.

As we reported in January on the Blog, Norwich call centre trainer Gareth and some of his pals are undertaking a 1,000 mile, 10-day bike ride from John O’Groats to Lands End. The sponsored ride is in memory of their friend Nathan Bray who died from bowel cancer last year. After completing the epic ride Gareth is then planning to run the London marathon two days afterwards, on what would have been Nathan’s 33rd birthday. The sporting trio originally set themselves a target of £5,000 to raise for the Bowel and Cancer Research charity. Having reached that, they have upped the stakes to £10,000. “We have been lucky with donations through gift aid,” explained Gareth. “And I have also had good support from colleagues in the call centre. “In January I borrowed a spin bike from a gym and brought it to work, to help raise some cash through a Spinathon.”

Every time the call centre got a lead Gareth jumped on the bike on rollers, and pedalled for a minute. At the end of the day he had cycled for six hours and 10 minutes. Donations were collected in a bucket, with more pounds being raised through a dress down day. Colleagues and Anglian directors donated some great lots for an auction. The day’s total came to £1,350. “Nathan was a great bloke, so we want to help a charity that will make a difference to many lives.” To donate to Gareth’s cycle and running epics you can go to www.justgiving.com/thenathanbray1000milecycleepic.

Keep an eye out on the Blog for updates on Gareth’s epic journey as the Blog Team will report on his progress.

 Anglian Home Improvements. Helping support people and communities in 2010

Anglian are proud to be sponsoring a 24 hour Fishathon on behalf of one of our employees Mark Barley who’s 7 year old son Ashley is ill with a brain tumour. The money raised will be going towards a once in a life time experience for Ashley, as well as possibly helping to buy him a specially adapted bicycle so he can ride again.

Ashley with his Mum, Sam

The 24 hour Fishathon will be held at Gorleston from 1pm on 5th-6th June, with the anglers meeting at 11:30 to ready themselves for the event. A trophy will be presented to the angler with the biggest fish and all monies raised will be presented to Mark and his family on June 13th at Mackintosh’s Canteen in Norwich.

Norfolk Beach Buddies

There will be a BBQ and drinks for all taking part so anybody is welcome to come along and add their support throughout the day / night. You can turn up on the day if you want to join in with the Fishathon if you don’t mind sponsoring someone and contributing to this very worthy cause!

It is also hoped that Anglian TV and the Eastern Daily Press will be present at the event to raise awareness as well. For more information on this event or to offer help or donate some money, please contact the blog team at blog@angliangroup.com or visit the Facebook page.

The Anglian Blog Team.

Nathan Bray was diagnosed last year with Bowel Cancer and tragically died 4 months later, five days after his wedding, from the illness.

Gareth Williams, a close friend of Nathans and Call Centre trainer at Anglian Home Improvements is currently in training for an epic Lands End to John O’Groats bike ride to raise money for Nathans charity whilst raising the awareness of Nathan’s condition.

As you can imagine the proposed cycle ride requires an extreme level of fitness and to help Gareth with his training and fund raising a special event has been organised for today which complements both needs perfectly.

So the plan is every lead the Anglian receives today Gareth will cycle ten minutes on the exercise bike situated in the Call Centre:

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The Salvation Army office in Norwich received seven charitable gifts from Anglian Home Improvements for Christmas.

Anglian Emma Stevenson, Norwich showroom Manager Karl Catchpole and Salvation Army officer Major Dennis Lomax

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The EDP has teamed up with us to offer five lucky readers and their guest a very special Canaries experience at City’s first home match of the New Year.

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Novembers “Movember” has finished and as a final sign off to all those moustaches Anglian Home Improvements teamed up with Truman’s of Norwich to celebrate and “cut off” all that charitable growth!

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