CELEBRITY v CIVILIAN CHARITY BOOT CAMP - To Feature in OK! Magazine

AT HALE COUNTRY CLUB & SPA

WHEN? 29th January 2012, 10.30am

WHERE? -  Hale Country Club and Spa, Clay Lane, Timperley

WHAT? – All Cheshire residents invited to join Coronation Street and Emmerdale stars for a celebrity vs. civilian charity bootcamp

All Cheshire residents are invited to join a host of Coronations Street and Emmerdale stars in a Celebrity vs. Civilian-style boot camp work out at Hale Country Club & Spa – in memory of Madison Allan, a 7-year-old Lancashire girl who died on Boxing Day from Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

Celebrity trainer and ex-Rear of the Year winner, Scott Wright will kick start the training sessions with celebrities such as Shobna Gulati  (Coronation Street’s Sunita Alahan), Kelvin Fletcher (Emmerdale’s Andy Sugden) and original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips

Scott first became aware of Madison and her illness when he met her and her family at the Christmas light switch on in Darwin in 2008 and named his little girl Lexey Madison Wright, in memory of her.  All money raised on the day will be donated to the on going campaign to raise awareness of this form of cancer.

Participants are invited to take part in the boot camp for a small fee of £2, which will go to charity and every entrant will be automatically entered into a prize draw treasure hunt – with winning tickets for prizes such as luxury hotel stays and spa treatments strategically placed around the assault course. 

There will also be an auction to win a ‘money can’t buy’ prize - a course of personal training sessions with three trainers from the club – ex-Coronation Street, Emmerdale,  star Scott Wright, Steve Bell and ex-Wigan Warriors Rugby Player, Wesley Cotton. Hale Country Club and Spa are also offering free boot camp sessions to members who sign up pre-launch in February and March.

Richard Edmunds, Hale Country Club & Spa’s General Manager said: “We are encouraging everyone in the area to come down and take part in the celebrity work-out. It's a bit of fun, there’s a great cause behind it and we welcome contestants of all fitness levels to come down and support us.”

The much-anticipated Hale Country and Spa has announced an opening date of early March 2012. The state of the art facilities will offer membership local people and is expected to be at capacity or at least almost full, by the time the facilities are officially opened.

Notes to editors:

• Hale Country Club & Spa is a five-star Country Club, spread over three floors and will have health and fitness facilities including, a huge gym with Technogym equipment and a movie theatre room, which members can work out in front of a giant screen whilst watching the latest blockbusters.

• Classes include Bokwa fitness, Zumba, Body Pump, Yoga and Pilates and there is a luxurious 25m indoor swimming pool with a swim-through link to an outdoor pool.

• The ESPA spa facilities include Zen & Fire and Ice steam rooms, a sauna, steam and salt room experience as well as a rooftop open air spa pool and champagne bar.

• Additional facilities include a restaurant and outdoor terrace with children’s play area and child-free changing rooms are available for 800 Country Club members, who will benefit from dressing robes and slippers and a child free changing environment.

The Five Stars Appeal have secured a number of places for the Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday 20th May 2012. As a previous runner we would like to offer you first option to take a place.

The run is Britain’s most popular 10k with the route taking in some of Manchester’s most famous landmarks – the event is also broadcast live on the BBC!

If you wish to take part in this event we ask that you complete an entry form and forward it to us with your £50 registration fee to secure your place. We will send out sponsorship forms and a t-shirt on receipt of your completed entry form. Please call the office for your entry form on 0161 798 8936 or email laura@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

More information about the event, including the route is available at www.greatrun.org

By running for us you will help us to raise much needed funds for the charity.

“Helping Children with Life Changing & Life Threatening Illnesses”

Madison’s brave fight ended Boxing day 10.45am. She was with her mummy and daddy.

Madison was a fighter and a brave little girl, who inspired and motivated many many people.

Madison had this gift of warming the coldest of hearts and touched everyone she met, even those who hadn’t met her. We will never forget you.

A Poem For Maddi by Auntie Kim

God sent an angel to the earth

The sweetest angel too

And for such a little girl

She had so much to do.

She knew she did not have

Much time on upon this earth to stay

So she did not waste a second

She got started right away.

Her eyes were bright and sparkly,

She took in every turn

She did not miss a single thing

Because Maddi came to learn!

God sent here  to touch the hearts of those he could not reach..

She taught them courage, strength and faith, because Maddi came to teach.

Her tiny little body was so full of God above,

You felt it when you held her, because Maddi came to love.

In seven short years she managed what many never will,

When she went home to Jesus, her purpose was fulfilled.

She learned and taught, loved and played she learned her lessons well.

I know he was so proud of her when she went home to dwell.

But when I miss her oh so much I can almost hear him say,

Please understand, her work was done……

Maddi did not come to stay.

Miss you every day my beautiful little

Angel Maddi love you forever  xxxxxxxxx

Auntie Kim

SOPHIE WRIGHT CROWNED MISS FIVE STARS APPEAL 2011 AT PANACEA ALDERLEY

The Miss Five Stars Appeal 2011 modelling competition final, hosted by radio presenter Hugh Ferris, took place at Panacea, Alderley Edge on Sunday, in aid of Five Stars Appeal Children’s Charity.

Sophie Wright was presented as the winner of  the model competition by Miss Manchester 2011, Nicola McConnell and won a contract with Liquid Models, a place as a Patron of the Five Stars Appeal, as well as a holiday to Malta thanks to www.spatravel.co.uk

Nicola Smith, corporate fundraiser at Five Star Appeals Children’s Charity said: “We are ecstatic at the success of the Miss Five Stars Appeal 2011 as it really brought the community together to help such a good cause.

“We can’t thank people enough for their help, to the models for competing and helping us to raise over £5,000 on Sunday and to Panacea Alderley for once again agreeing to host our event.

“With the help of our many supporters, Patrons and Five Star Ambassadors we are continuing to hold events, sponsored runs and corporate fundraising activities throughout 2011/2012 to help children with life changing and life threatening illnesses”

Sophie Wright who is also a professional ice skater, was sponsored in the competition by Manchester Radio Online, where she currently works.

Sophie was chosen over twenty hopefuls who were selected from the online applicants and were judged over three rounds by a panel of judges including Miss Manchester 2011 Nicola McConnell, Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic, Five Stars Chairman Mandy Smith, Calum Best, Claire Gilchrist-Dick of Liquid Models and Big Brother 2011 couple Louise Cliffe and Jay McKray.

My name is Izzy and I’m nearly four.

I’ve got a twin sister called Gabby and a big brother called Charlie. Me and Gabby look a bit like each other but we’re not the same because I’ve got cerebral palsy in my legs, so I can’t walk very well. When we’re at nursery, sometimes we have to do dancing which I enjoy, but because my legs are stiff I can’t put my feet flat on the floor, I have to just watch. I have to wear special boots called Piedro boots because normal ones from the shoe shop just keep coming off. At Christmas the doctor put some special casts on my legs to try and stretch them. I had to wear them all day, even in bed! They weren’t very comfy but because they were pink I didn’t mind. What I didn’t like was when it snowed I couldn’t go outside and play with Charlie and Gabby because my wellies wouldn’t fit over them.

Mummy and Daddy have been on the computer talking to a different doctor in America who has done a lot of operations on other girls and boys so they can put their feet flat. If we get enough money I would like to go to America to see if he can fix my legs so that me and Gabby can wear the same pretty shoes and I can stop falling over all the time.

Izzy needs to raise £24,200 by November 2011 to book treatment for January 2012. The treatment will cost £50,000 in total but Izzy's family and friends have raised £25,800 so far but urgently need help.

Please call Five Stars Appeal on 0161 798 8936 if you can help Izzy reach her target by November.

Thank you so much.

Blackburn cancer battler Madison Allan on Jeremy Kyle show

By Catherine Pye of Lancashire Telegraph »

CANCER battler Madison Allan will be shown having “the best day of her life” on national television this morning.

She has been whisked away to London and treated to a shopping spree at Hamley’s toy shop for a special edition of the Jeremy Kyle Show.

She also met dance group Diversity and had a special video lesson from children’s arts and crafts television presenter, Mister Maker.

Researchers from the programme made contact with her family after reading about her plight in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Mum Samantha said: “She really enjoyed it, although she was in some pain on the day we filmed and the big lights and stage was very daunting for her.

"On the train back she told me it was the best day of her life.”

“She took a bit of persuading to get any toys but she decided on some Sylvanian Families dolls and she made her own teddy bear.

“When we met Diversity they asked her if she wanted to have a go with them, but she said no because she thought they meant doing all the back-flips.

"But they got her to do some sitting-down dancing and she thought that was great.”

Jeremy Kyle said: “Madison was an incredible little girl and it was an honour to be able to make her wishes come true”.

Madison will turn seven on Friday, and will celebrate at home with friends and family.

Law firm donates unclaimed balances to four charities

Published on 13 September 2011, by howardlake

Specialist law firm Rollits has donated unclaimed client balances in its legacy bank account to four charities, including Charity Bank. It hopes this will inspire other legal firms to make similar donations.

The company, which has offices in Leeds and York, contacted as many of its former clients as possible and returned any claimed funds. After that, with permission from the Solicitors Regulations Authority, it donated the remainder to its selected charities.

Rollits managing partner, Richard Field, said: "Unclaimed balances are common in our profession and can accumulate over the years. We were pleased to clear the backlog of unclaimed funds in such a positive way and wanted to donate the funds to charities that were making a tangible impact.

"Charity Bank's mission to transform saving into an ethical action that supports other charities and community organisations definitely met this criteria."

The Five Stars Scanner Appeal is now complete and we are delighted to inform you that the MRI Scanner is in place at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The 200 Club was set up to help raise funds for the MRI scanner and we are delighted to let each of the 112 members know that the Roll of Honour will soon be in place at the Royal Manchester children's Hospital.

 The Roll of Honour will be this beautiful piece of artwork which will list every name of every member and will be mounted in the scanner room to enable the families, waiting for their child being scanned, to see the names of the kind hearted people and companies who have donated £1000 to be a 200 club member. These funds will potentially help to save the lives of many children. Thank you for your kind generosity.

Catherine Pye - Lancashire Telegraph

The family of six-year-old Madison Allan has won the battle to get £35,000 for new cancer treatment.

Relatives accused health chiefs at NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust of ‘putting a price’ on her life after hesitating to make a decision.

Madison’s consultant said the procedure could shrink a tumour wrapped around her internal organs.

Her mum Samantha took the fight to the NHS North West Cancer Drugs Fund Panel and, at a special meeting yesterday, they agreed to pay £7,500 for the cost of the drug.

Blackburn with Darwen care trust has now agreed to foot the rest of the bill for Madison’s aftercare at The Christie Hospital, Manchester.

The one-off shot of radioactive treatment will be given on Monday, September 19, meaning she will spend her seventh birthday on September 23 in isolation in hospital.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported on Saturday that the family had been left waiting for a decision on the funding after the NHS delayed an announcement.

Madison’s grandmother Alison Foster said: “We know this isn’t a cure for Madison, but it will buy her the time she so deseperately needs.

“We’re relieved and really pleased, but annoyed it’s dragged on for eight weeks.

“There was no way that Madison’s mum Samantha was going to let this drop.

"Twelve months ago Madison was sent home by the hospital in Manchester to die, and if Samantha hadn’t have fought then to start up a fundraising campaign for treatment abroad, she wouldn’t be here now.

“If they’d have come back and said they weren’t going to pay for the treatment then we’d have been forced to pay for it out of the Madison Allan Appeal money, but that would have been added expense on top of the £250,000 we need for her treatment in Germany.”

Madison spent her sixth birthday at Griefswald Hospital in Germany undergoing trial chemotherapy treatment not currently available in the UK, and paid for by public donations.

Since then the tumour has reduced in size by 2cms and the latest scans show that around 80 per cent is beginning to die off.

She still has an uphill battle but it is this progress which has led her consultant in Manchester to recommend MIGB treatment on the NHS.

Mrs Foster added: “The delay means that treatment will come right smack-bang on her birthday, which is a shame, but there’s nothing we can do.

“Luckily we’re holding a party for her on September 17, so she should at least be okay for that.”

MIGB is an abbreviation of metaiodobenzylguanidine - a new type of cancer treatment where radioactive iodine is injected directly into the tumour to kill off the cells.

It is used to directly eradicate tumour cells, rather than chemotherapy which kills both cancer and healthy cells.

Eight weeks after her shot of MIGB, Madison will return to Germany for tests to see how the tumour is responding.

Doctors will then decide what next steps to take.

Alison added: “This decision in our favour gives hope to other people going through the same plight.

“We need to highlight the issue of neuroblastoma because it’s not as rare as people think.”

Vanessa Hollings, director of commissioning, development and planning at NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, said: "Although we cannot comment on individual cases, in complex cases it is essential that we seek appropriate advice from regional experts to ensure that the right decision is made.

"We are pleased that a decision has been made so that treatment can proceed as swiftly as possibly.

“We do appreciate that these processes are very difficult for families especially at such a distressing time but these are procedures that we have to follow.”

Do you love dinner parties? Are you a great cook?

The hugely successful Channel 4 show Come Dine with Me is returning for a new, prime-time series. We're looking for people over 18 years of age in and around Stockport with a passion for cooking and who want to demonstrate their skills.

 Over four days, four strangers, from all walks of life, take turns hosting the perfect dinner party for each other. At the end of the week the most impressive host wins a £1,000 cash prize.

 This is your chance to create the perfect dining experience!

You also get to enjoy three nights dining out and a chance to win the prize.

 If you or anyone you know would like to take part then please call in right away on

0871 200 3939

Job offer at the Five Stars Appeal...See job spec below and apply today.

Job Specification Template

JOB TITLE:                                                   SALARY                                   HOURS OF WORK

Charity Administrator                                £100 per day                           3 DAYS PER WEEK 

(An interesting and varied role)                   (£14,400 per year)                    Normally 9 AM – 5 PM

                                                                                                                      with lunch break.

Freelance consultancy                                                                                  Occasional out of hours

                                                                                                                      duties may be necessary

  PURPOSE OF THE JOB:  

• Manage and be accountable for the running of the office and support the Director of Fundraising and Community Fundraiser(s).

• To provide a stable link between the Charity and the Charity Commission and ensure that

              the charity is able to demonstrate compliance with its statutory obligations.

• The role is pivotal in keeping all Staff, Volunteers, Trustees, Ambassadors, Patrons and the General Public informed of the aims of the charity.

• Ensuring all the above work well together providing clarity for the charity to set strategic plans to achieve its goals.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directing:

 Organising the charity office, charity shops and team – employees and volunteers

 Supporting the team’s performance

 Ensure workflow runs smoothly

 Organise and attend meetings at all levels and ensure minuted when requested.

 Organise AGM & any Extraordinary General Meetings.  Minute if requested.

 Responsibility for H.R. within the organisation

 Ensure Health & Safety aspects and general working conditions are compliant.

Communication/Reporting:

 To assist the Director of Fundraising with liaison with all relevant parties – current beneficiaries, Trustees, Ambassadors, Patrons, Sponsors, Charities Commission,  members of staff, corporate organisations and general public

 Be first point of contact for any complaints that may arise and discuss complaints with

the Director of Fundraising for resolution.

Finance:

• Liaise with Accounts Manager when required.

• Raise all cheques for payment.  Sign and account for cheques up to the value of £600.

• Responsibility for Petty Cash to a maximum value of £600.

• Responsibility for the handling and banking of event cash after hand over from the Community Fundraiser.  Adhere to the insurance document in regard to the numbers required to transport cash to the bank dependent upon the amount in question.

General:

• Implement an effective means of communication with all staff

• Check daily incoming requests/messages via website and distribute to relevant staff for action and reply.

• Liaise with IT person as and when challenges arise with IT and make proposals for improvements.

• Responsibility to ensure 3 monthly freelance contracts revised in conjunction with Director of Fundraising.

• Organise and maintain database/contact lists and management of same for commercial use.

• Provide introduction packs for new trustees/ambassadors/patrons.

• Ensure office equipment and communications, stationery, supplies and other requirements are functioning and available to provide the smooth running of the office at all times.

• Create and implement a domestic cleaning rota to maintain high standards of cleanliness within the offices.

• Ensure miscellaneous shopping items are purchased and stocked at all times – i.e. tea/coffee/milk/bathroom products.

• Oversee the weekly running of the charity shops

• Attend internal/external courses as identified

• Flexible working to achieve the objectives of the charity.

CANDIDATE

The candidate will be working in a team environment.

 REPORTING TO:

The Director of Fundraising

 WORKING HOURS:

The role is part-time and on a freelance basis (self-employed).  Normally three days per week

9.00 am to 5.00pm.   Occasional evening and weekend duties.

SALARY:  

£100 per day (£14,400 per year)

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Attending events both as a guest and within the role as a representative of the Five Stars Appeal.

PROBATION:

A probationary period of three months.

START DATE:   

Preferably 1st October 2011

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  

31st  August 2011                                                                                              

Person Specification

KNOWLEDGE:

Essential:

• A successful track record of experience of working in a similar role.

• A team player with a confident manner and a professional, flexible and positive approach to work.

• A high standard of written English.

• Computer literacy for word processing, emailing and record keeping.  A knowledge of excel.

• A good telephone manner.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Close attention to detail.

• An ability to work with figures and to use spreadsheets.

• An ability to communicate with and relate to people on all levels.

• An ability to placate and smooth situations.

• An ability to make decisions and use initiative.

• Integrity

• A passion for fundraising and working in the community.

• Exceptional leadership skills under pressure.

Desirable:

• Relevant professional qualifications

•  Prepared to learn new skills

• Creative

Contact charmaine@fivestarsappeal.co.uk to apply.

The Five Stars team are recruiting corporate companies to join the Five Stars Fundraising Club, an exclusive opportunity to interact with other like minded Manchester businesses whilst helping to raise money to save the lives of children with life threatening illnesses.

The Five Stars team have recently closed its Scanner Appeal after successfully placing a new MRI scanner in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The Charity is looking to build on this fabulous achievement in the coming year with the support of 50 Manchester businesses that will further our endeavours to give poorly children the best possible chance.

One of the first beneficiaries of our fundraising will be five year old Madison Alan. Maddi’s family were instrumental in helping us raise the required funds for our last appeal. Little Madison has neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, and her family has been told to “prepare for the worst.” We have included our latest publication to bring you up to date with our efforts.

Our aim is to ask companies like yours to join our Fundraising Club and pledge to raise a minimum of £1,000 over the next 12 months. Holding a dress down day, organising a fundraising event or running the Manchester 10k have all been successful in the past, but tailoring a programme to your business may be more beneficial to both of us. We would love to discuss the opportunities with you.

We will be holding monthly networking events for members to meet with the charity, discuss our successes and network with other Fundraising Club members. One of our events will be the Charity Greyhound Racing Night at Belle Vue Stadium where we aim to invite 50 guests from various companies to have fun and network...A rule of the Five Stars Fundraising Club members!

If you feel you are able to help us in our aims, no matter how big or small your contribution, please contact one of our team today and let’s start working together to save children’s lives.

Kind Regards,

Nicola Smith

Corporate Fundraiser

The Five Stars Appeal

Tel: 0161 798 8936

Email: Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

Web: www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk

Move over The Only Way Is Essex – now it’s the turn of Manchester university students to become the new stars of reality TV.

For Lime Pictures, the company behind the hit ITV docu-soap TOWIE which has made celebrities of personalities like Mark Wright, Sam Faiers and Amy Childs, is now to shift its spotlight to our city’s new student intake.

The show, which will be called Freshers, is to launch on Channel 4 in the autumn.

Producers are aiming to recruit seven new starters at our unis – Salford, Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan – come September to follow on camera as they embark on their studies and, ahem, extra-curricular activities too. 

But I hear they’ve already recruited their first personality in the form of our reigning Miss Manchester Nicola McConnell.

For while Nicola failed to win the title of Miss England at the pageant finals last week, I hear she has caught the eye of the TV producers.

The brainy 18-year-old from Rochdale is due to study medicine at Manchester University in October.

Nicola tells me that a film crew has already been to her home to start filming, so now she is just hoping she’ll secure the straight-A grades she’ll need from her A-levels, sat last month at Oldham Hulme Grammar School, to embark on her degree and to ensure she’s a part of Freshers too.

Nicola beams: “They’ve already started to do some filming so it’s all quite exciting.  I just hope I get my grades now!

“They told me that the show will be following the lives of seven students who have unusual and unique circumstances as they head to university.”

Producers are still looking for potential candidates to follow over the summer and at the start of studies in September and October, although the deadline for applications is this Sunday

You can now text your donation to the Five Stars Appeal. Just text Five01 £(amount) to 70070 to make your donation instantly...It's so simple.

The UK's 50 million mobile phone owners can now give money to charity, free of charge, by text message.

With just a few taps on their mobile phone, donors are able to give up to £10 a time to any of the charities registered with the scheme. The launch of JustTextGiving comes at a critical time for the charitable sector, which faces the double whammy of funding cuts and a squeeze on disposable income.

The Five Stars Appeal has already registered the code, which is Five01 – So you can text Five01 £(amount) to 70070 to donate today.

It is estimated that text donations could be worth £96m annually by 2014. However, substantial set-up costs have previously meant only the very largest charities were able to use text fundraising, with 72% of charities saying the cost of setting up the service was a key barrier.

Gifts will automatically be distributed to the chosen charity and the money is either added to the donor's monthly mobile bill or deducted from their pay-as-you-go balance. The service will work with any network, not just Vodafone. Registered charities can set up their codes from Monday and individual fundraisers from June. There are no set up or running costs for charities, no network charges for people making donations and every penny raised goes to charity.

Vodafone chief executive Guy Laurence said: "JustTextGiving by Vodafone is speedy, simple, and spontaneous. About 50 million people carry a mobile so the potential for charities and individuals to raise additional money is very real and exciting. Whether you're watching a friend run 5km or you're at your kid's school concert, you will now be able to give on the spot."

Anne-Marie Huby, managing director of JustGiving, said: "Major events like Comic Relief and Children in Need have led the way in demonstrating the potential of text giving and we're delighted to now open up this income stream to all charities, big and small."

KILIMANJARO TREK FOR CHARITY

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Premier Education helping to staff schools in the Greater Manchester area, and to raise funds for the Five Stars Appeal, a children’s cancer charity based in Manchester, I'm taking part in a sponsored trek to the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Makes a change from my usual holiday in the Orkneys!

The money raised will be presented to the charity at an event on the 7th October 2011 and if you would like further information about the charity you can check out their website at http://www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk

Thank You

Alistair

 Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 To sponsor Alistair go to http://www.justgiving.com/alistair-mccrone

Nicola McConnell from Rochdale is today celebrating being crowned Miss Manchester 2011 - by quietly reading her biology text books.

Nicola, 18, lifted the title after beating a string of beauties in a contest last night at Panacea in Alderley Edge.

But the pupil at Oldham Hulme Grammar School is too busy to celebrate as she has a Biology A Level exam on Monday to revise for.

The straight A student, who hopes to study medicine at the University of Manchester, wowed a judging panel including footballer Robbie Savage and new Coronation Street star Michelle Collins.

Michelle said she found it hard to decide between the girls. "I was giving all of them five out of five because they are all so beautiful", she said.

Other celebrities at the bash at Panacea in Alderley Edge included Jorgie Porter from Hollyoaks whos sister Sophie Smith was runner up in the competition.

Winner Nicola beat off competition from Charlotte Dawson, daughter of comic legend Les Dawson, who made it to the final ten but was just pipped to the post for the title.

That was despite Charlotte's efforts to impress the judges by doing one of her dad's famous gurns for the judges.

Sponsors of the event included SpaTravel.co.uk

Judges

Tony Hughes

Prominent South Manchester businessman whose success has come from doing things his own way. He has never been shy about taking on a challenge, none less than 140 m.p.h. Stock Car Racing, in the name of The British Touring Car Championship 2011. (hughesmotorsport.co.uk)

Johnny Pollard  - Johnny Pollard is one of the travel industry's best known award winning entrepreneurs. Having had major success so far in his career, Johnny now sits on the ABTA membership board and is a regular columnist in Travel Weekly. A former professional footballer turned travel expert, he spends a great deal of time in the USA, especially Las Vegas and knows just what to look for in helping find the next Miss Manchester who hopefully can go on to become Miss England. Johnny is a loyal supporter of Miss Manchester and a continued sponsor and friend of its various charities.

Elicia Davies -Miss Manchester 2010, Elicia has enjoyed a very busy year as Miss Manchester, fulfilling many photographic and PA assignments. Elicia has worked enthusiastically to raise money for the Genesis Appeal and is extremely proud to be an ambassador of the Five Stars Appeal (www.fivestarsappeal.co.uk). Reluctant to give up her crown, Elicia nevertheless wishes her successor a wonderful year.

Robbie Savage -  the former footballer, famous for making the 41st highest number of appearances in the Premier League, also (in)famous for being the 3rd most booked and with 39 caps for Wales to his credit!  Now a presenter of Britain's biggest football phone-in on 5 Live, aswell as presenting for BBC and ESPN TV (next year) and last but not least, winner of the prestigious Sony Rising Star Award, beating Ronnie Wood! Robbie has had previous judging experience at Miss Wales, alongside Miss World, who was Miss Iceland at the time! Renowned for his hair, clothes and cars, he has all the credentials to be a great judge!

Cherryl Cohen  - started a very successful international modelling career at the age of 19. Her equity card led to acting roles in Coronation Street,Brideshead Revisited, Charles Dickens-Hard Times among others. In 1990,she set up 'The Clothes Shop', Wilmslow, one of UK's most recognised and respected boutiques, selling Bottega Veneta, Lanvin,Celine and Jil Sander, to a celebrity and V.I.P. clientele. Cherryl also featured on Granada's Good Life Channel, with Trinny & Susannah, Claudia Winkleman and George Hamilton and the BBC's Lowri Turner Fashion programme, doing make-overs, giving fashion advice, all filmed live at Manchester's Trafford Centre. Today, in addition to 'The Clothes Shop', Cherryl divides her time between Cheshire, London and NYC .

Andreas Brozos -  Manager of Panacea Alderley Edge, has spent over a decade under-pinning the City's social scene having moved to Manchester from his hometown Veria, Greece in 1998. He began his career focusing on key roles within the hotel industry, very quickly progressing to the restaurant world, where he accepted a managerial position at the Manchester site of the Restaurant Bar & Grill Group. With his sights firmly set on widening his career path, he then assumed a Management position with Panacea Restaurant & Bars and has been at the heart of the Alderley Edge site since its inception in 2009. Andreas has been heavily involved in various high profile events to date, receiving wide acclaim for the pivotal role he played in developing the hugely successful Premiership Cook-Off brand, raising over £100k for the Five Stars Appeal in its first year alone.

Michael Zammit Tabona - Award winning hotelier Michael Zammit Tabona is the man behind the world's largest luxury spa in the world. Based in Malta, the Fortina Spa Resort boasts a five-star wellbeing sanctuary, five swimming pools, four spa centres and dental clinic, cosmetic surgery options, a fitness centre and six restaurants. A leader in Spa hotels with over 25yrs experience, Michael Zammit Tabona, is an exuberant character who clearly doesn't do half-measures. Michael has recently launched SpaTravel.co.uk, the UK's leading one stop shop for spa hotel accommodation and flights worldwide.

Silva Michael - He is the President of World Screen Group. A producer and director, who is currently involved in numerous television projects which are going to be screened mainstream here and abroad predominantly a la Bollywood. He is currently filming Mario and Lisa's fly on the wall series, (from Big Brother fame), in the UK, together with other Bollywood television series, such as the Asian version of Miami Vice and Asian Dynasty to name but a few. These are going to hit the screens later this year, all filmed in the UK and around the world. Silva is also currently working on the global World Screen Awards to be hosted in England next year.

Winner's Prize Package

A weekend break (3 nights) for two at the 5* luxury Fortina Spa Resort in Malta - www.spatravel.co.uk  

Automatic entry into the Miss England Final (missengland.info).

Exclusive photo shoot with top celebrity/fashion photographer, Lesauvage.

Career management and representation (non-exclusive) by AdF Management.

Hughes Safety Showers photo shoot or PR opportunity (hughes-safety-showers.co.uk) See MM06, Louise Cliffe, filming with HSS @ Oulton Park ‘09 (hughes-shelter-systems.com)

Miss Manchester 2011's stunning tiara donated by Agape of Knutsford, Cheshire (www.agapebridal.co.uk)

CLEO B Shoe Credit voucher for £75 (cleaob.com), donated in association with thebeaconmagazine.co.uk

Lash Perfect Professional Eyelash Extensions offered by Gill Swallow (0161 494 0624 )

More news to follow when we reveal the final figures raised on the auction for Five Stars Appeal.

Miss Manchester 2010 Elicia Davies rounded up the contestants of the 2011 Miss Manchester competition (which takes place on Thurs 9th June 2011) and held a charity car wash which raised over £700 for Five Stars Appeal.

The lovely ladies washed cars at Cheetham Hill's Wash & Glow on a not so sunny Sunday afternoon but still managed to raise a fantastic sum from the generous donations.

The girls will be back on Saturday 21st May so get your cars down to Wash & Glow for a spruce up!

Insider Young Professional's Raffle Raise £2800 at Awards

The Five Stars Appeal would like to congratulate the winners and everyone short listed for  Insider's Young Professional Awards in association with Pro.Manchester. Thank you all for your kind donations which raised over £2800! Michael Taylor...You put on a fantastic do, thanks for involving Five Stars on this occasion.

North WestYoung Professionals Awards in association with Pro.Manchester

Winners revealed

Marc Duschenes, the former chief executive of Braemar Group who sold the business to fund manager Brooks McDonald last year, last night hailed the North West as a region that embraces innovation. He was speaking at the eighth annual Insider Young Professionals Awards, held at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, as he handed over the overall Young Professional of the Year crown to Drivers Jonas Deloitte's Joanne Dennis-Jones.

Joanne Dennis-Jones has been named as the 2011 Overall Young Professional of the Year at Insider's North West Young Professionals Awards 2011. Dennis-Jones, of Drivers Jonas Deloitte, also won the Young Property Professional award at the ceremony. Held at the Lowry Hotel, more than 300 professionals gathered to celebrate the achievements of the brightest young talents across a wide range of categories. Host and North West Business Insider editor Michael Taylor praised the winners and shortlisted for demonstrating "skills way beyond the required technical competence" and for being "people that employers want in today’s market: proactive, client-driven and capable of building businesses". Hancocks was the event sponsor.

Young Accountant

Winner: Debbie Hannon, Ernst & Young

Looking at the testimonials Hannon received she regularly exceeds expectations and puts the client at the heart of everything she does. The judges also praised Debbie for pushing the boundries and challenging the norm.

Among the other shortlisted Roberts was labelled by his bosses as outstanding and instrumental in driving change; when faced with a challenge Barton believes ‘out of distress, we often shine’; while Wallace was praised for being a dedicated and high-achieving employee.

Shortlisted: Steve Roberts, KPMG; Daniel Barton, PwC; Lee Wallace, Manchester Science Parks

Young Banker

Winner: Marc Shirman, RBS

Shirman was singled out by the judges as a clear leader in his field and a very strong operator. He continues to build a reputation of integrity and credibility, which is especially important at a time when RBS is getting its own house in order.

Reece worked on a string of high-profile deals for the likes of B&M Retail and Manchester Airport; he is balancing his job as head of structured debt with an MBA – no mean feat at the best of times; and Malone was praised for being a brilliant and inspirational young banker.

Shortlisted: Oliver Reece, Barclays; Mike Malone, NatWest

Young Dealmaker

Winner: Neil Mitchell, Rickitt Mitchell

Mitchell was praised for having a significant impact on the firm’s revenue, working on a range of deals – for Vision Support Services, AIM-listed Instem and Kids Allowed. He also received very strong client testimonials.

Hartley led KPMG’s disposal of Antler in 2010, one of the most high-profile and challenging deals to complete in recent times and Clarke's work for Altium often involves buyers from Europe and the US, an increasingly important skillset to have in this market.

Shortlisted: Alex Hartley, KPMG; Andrew Clarke, Altium

Young Lawyer

Winner: Alex Lilley, Shoosmiths

Lilley is one of those that successfully escaped from Halliwells on a life raft. She was praised by the judges for having a wealth of experience beyond her years and received very strong endorsements from clients including Bglobal, The Hut Group and XLN Telecom.

She was marked out for her deal origination skills and high-profile clients; as was Butterworth for her work with Peel and Bruntwood; Phillips has been pivotal in leading Pinsent’s growing reputation in the private equity arena; and Longbottom has impressively built the profile of family law firm Russell Jones and Walker.

Shortlisted: Lucy Butterworth, Cobbetts now Addleshaw Goddard; Andrew Phillips, Pinsent Masons; Chris Longbottom, Russell Jones & Walker

Marketing and Media Professional

Winner: Laura Wade, Turner Parkinson

Wade received two strong nominations and the judges said the job she performed ‘is what any board would want out of the marketing function’.

She has done a great job in turning TP’s marketing function into a profit centre for the company through TP Deals; and Seaton has been a storming force at Manchester Science Parks, representing not only MSP but all 137 tenants.

Shortlisted: Gemma Seaton, Manchester Science Parks

Sponsored by: Deloitte

Young Property Professional

Winner: Joanne Dennis-Jones, Drivers Jonas Deloitte

The judges praised Dennis-Jones for her wide contribution to the city region, and in particular her strength of building up repeat business – companies are looking for much more than just technical competence now.

In just over a year since the formation of office agency OBI, Lewis has grown the brand within Manchester, and brought in 50 per cent of the company’s turnover in year one; Agar, in his short time at Braemar, has considerably grown funds under management and investor returns.

Shortlisted: Will Lewis, OBI Property; James Agar, Braemar Estates

Young Stockbroker/Financial Adviser

Winner: Stephen Coleman, Credit Suisse

Still the youngest member of the northern team, Coleman has risen through the ranks to assistant vice president. He has retained and developed an important set of clients for the bank, has been praised for his management of some very demanding people.

Grenhalgh was praised for his ambition and relationship development with clients.

Shortlisted: Richard Greenhalgh, Rensburg Sheppards

Special Contribution Award

Winner: Orla Glackin, Ernst & Young

Glackin is is the 2010 Junior Chamber International Manchester Young Talent Awards Philanthropist of the Year. She is also Ernst & Young’s NW Community Champion. In just one year she has also led 43 per cent of the firm’s staff in the region to spend 2,000 hours working on community projects.

Shortlisted: Daniel Barton, PwC; Daniel Berke, Lewis Hymanson Small

Young Professional Award

Winner: Joanne Dennis-Jones, Drivers Jonas Deloitte

This was an incredible shortlist. Each one of these young professionals represents what is great about Manchester’s community. They are already winners in their own right this evening, and congratulations to them all, particularly Dennis-Jones.

Shortlist: Alex Lilley, Shoosmiths; Neil Mitchell, Rickitt Mitchell; Marc Shirman, RBS

Ivan Klasnic hosted his first charity event for the Five Stars Appeal which was a total success! Ivan invited his premiership pals to take him on in a charity poker match which raised over £6000 for his charity.

The winners of the charity tournament won a host of prizes donated by spatravel.co.uk and Stratstone.

If you would like to take part in the next poker tournamnet for Five Stars Appeal please contact us at the office on 0161 798 8936 for details.

Churchwood Touch the Stars

Debt solution provider, Churchwood Finance Group, has been supporting the children’s charity, the Five Stars Appeal, since June last year. The locally run charity, which helps to raise funds for children with life threatening illnesses, was chosen by Churchwood CEO Paul Naden.

“The charity is one that is very close to my heart. I believe in corporate responsibility and feel it is important for us at Churchwood that we can raise funds and awareness for this great charity. I was attracted to Five Stars, not only because of all the good work they do, but also because they have welcomed our involvement at a people level and are happy for our employees to give their time to the charity as well as just raising funds.” Paul Naden (Group CEO)

The employees of the company have really taken the charity to heart and have held many fundraising events for the charity including; Fancy Dress Days, Cake Sales, Pyjama Parties, and Sponsored Hair Cuts, with many more initiatives in the pipeline. Their most recent fundraising activity saw a team of 11 brave employees throw themselves out of plane from 10,000 feet all in the name of charity. The Churchwood Skydive Team pulled together to raise the sponsorship money to do the jump and ensured that Five Stars received some much needed funds.

“I had the most amazing time, it was absolutely breath taking. Our work with Five Stars gave me the push to finally to take the leap and I am so glad I did” Louise Ashworth (Client Services Manager)

The Skydive raised over £2,600 for the charity, bringing Churchwood’s total fundraising to‐date to just over £9,000. Inline with one of their corporate values, Teamwork, Churchwood had set themselves a target of £10,000 to reach by June 2011, but with more fundraising plans ahead including the Bupa Manchester Run, they are confident that they will smash this target.

Available Media

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Video

URL: http://vimeo.com/21651668

Contact: Paul Heaton

Contact Person: Communications Manager

Company Name: Churchwood Finance Group

Telephone Number: 0161 968 1461

Email Address: communications@churchwoodfinancial.co.uk

Web site address: www.churchwoodfinance.co.uk