Category Archives: Charity

Shropshire schools encouraged to increase recycling

Schools across Shropshire are being encouraged to follow the example of Oxon C of E Primary School in Shrewsbury and increase the amount of their waste that is recycled – whilst at the same time helping a charity get local people into work.

Photo shows (from left to right): Cllr Peter Adams (also a School Governor); School Head, Mark Rogers; Cllr Nick Bardsley, Trustee of Cae Post and Glyn Lewis, Cae Post vehicle driver.

Waste from Oxon C of E Primary School in Racecourse Lane, Shrewsbury, is collected weekly by Cae Post, a local social enterprise based in Trewern, near Welshpool, which exists to encourage recycling and help disadvantaged people into work.

Mark Rogers, Head at Oxon Primary School, said: “As a school with a caring ethos at its heart, we are proud to be working with Cae Post, as it helps them provide meaningful employment to disadvantaged people.

“Since working with Cae Post we have collected nearly seven tonnes of waste from the school which Cae Post has recycled – and at the same time helped people who are struggling to get work find useful employment.”

Cae Post is an innovative social enterprise based in Powys, providing waste management and recycling services across mid-Wales and North Shropshire.

As a social enterprise, the income generated from its business is used to fulfil its objectives to give more people a chance to be part of the working world.

Nick Bardsley, a Shropshire Councillor and Trustee of Cae Post, said: “Cae Post has been involved in providing opportunities to disadvantaged people and promoting environmental awareness for over 30 years.

“There are nowhere near enough places in Shropshire and Mid Wales where people who find it difficult to get work can get training and meaningful employment. Cae Post is an asset to Shropshire as well as Powys.

“By working with Cae Post, Oxon Primary School is keeping recyclable waste out of landfill or incineration – and helping local people find work at the same time.”

Cae Post is keen to encourage more schools in Shropshire to get in touch and arrange a visit to their plant to give pupils a better understanding of the importance of recycling and waste management.

Photo shows (from left to right): Cllr Peter Adams (also a School Governor); School Head, Mark Rogers; Cllr Nick Bardsley, Trustee of Cae Post and Glyn Lewis, Cae Post vehicle driver.

Cae Post receives Green Compass Award

Cae Post, the Welshpool based recycling and waste management social enterprise, has won its fourth Green Compass Scheme award.

Sue Packer with the Green Compass Award

Cae Post has been successfully accredited to PAS402:2013 through the Green Compass Scheme, which recognises waste management organisations that have made a commitment to improved efficiency and performance reporting as well as achieving a significant environmental credential.

Says Sue Packer, General Manager at Cae Post in Trewern, near Welshpool: “As a business with a social agenda, we are proud to have been inspected under the Green Compass Scheme and to have been awarded membership of the scheme.

“Our commitment to recycling, waste management and the people who work with us, defines how we do business and this recognition is for everyone at Cae Post.”

The Green Compass Scheme was developed by Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW), and in conjunction with UKAS accredited inspection bodies provides independent verification of the performance data reported by waste management organisations against PAS402:2013 (Waste resource management – Specification for performance reporting). PAS 402:2013 requires a waste resource management organisation to report how it conducts its waste management activities and the landfill diversion and materials recovery rates it achieves. The Green Compass Scheme verifies this data.

The Green Compass Scheme is applicable to all waste management organisations in Wales that process construction, industrial, commercial or household waste.

Speaking about the award to Cae Post, Paul Jennings, CEW’s Construction Waste Programme Director, said: “Construction and demolition waste remains a problem in Wales, but with organisations like Cae Post joining our successful Green Compass scheme, we are continuing to educate and inform the entire industry from site workers and their bosses through to major customers and the public.

“The best starting point is the actual handling of the waste itself and it is great that Cae Post is going to work alongside the network of Green Compass companies throughout Wales”.

Cae Post currently collects kerbside in North Powys as well as offering recycling and trade waste services to a wide range of businesses, schools and other organisations in Shropshire and Powys.

To find out more, visit www.caepost.co.uk. More information on the Green Compass Scheme is available at www.greencompass.org.

Powys social enterprise to relaunch websites and increase brand awareness

Cae Post, the Powys based charity and social enterprise working to provide opportunities for disadvantaged people in Powys and Shropshire, has appointed Oswestry-based Ethos public relations to relaunch its website and to help increase recognition of its trading brands.

Cae Post is based in Trewern, Welshpool, and operates the Council’s recycling collection service in North Powys, as well as commercial recycling collection and processing in Powys and North Shropshire. The charity has also recently launched a hydrographics print business in Mile End, Oswestry, called Liquid Print Factory, to help support their ethos of providing work and training for people with disabilities or disadvantages in the jobs market.

Speaking about the link up, General Manager Sue Packer said: “Cae Post is a well regarded charity based in Powys, with 20 years’ experience working with people with disabilities and those who are disadvantaged in the jobs market, offering them useful and worthwhile work opportunities.

“We are a business just like any other, but the income we generate helps us to fulfil our charitable objectives to give everyone a chance to be part of the working world. We are looking forward to working with Ethos public relations to relaunch our websites, to help us gain even more recognition of our work in Powys and North Shropshire.”

Shaun Fisher, a Director at Ethos public relations, said: “As a business with a social conscience, we are looking forward to working with Sue and her team at Cae Post to help promote the charity and its commercial objectives. We have worked with a wide range of charities and social enterprises over the past 18 years and we have a real empathy for the work carried out by Cae Post for their beneficiaries.”

70th Anniversary of VJ Day sees charity membership swell

An increasing number of relatives of Far East Prisoners of War have been joining national charity COFEPOW (Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War), as the country prepares to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day.

COFEPOW was set up to ensure that World War Two Far East Prisoners of War are never forgotten and the charity has seen a 10% increase in new members over the past few weeks as more relatives of those incarcerated in the Far East during the Second World War join to honour their relatives’ heroic past.

New member Tracey Marinelli from Derby says that she joined COFEPOW to be part of the VJ Day commemorations.

Tracey Marinelli joined COFEPOW to take part in the VJ Day commemorations

She said: “My Grandfather, Flight Sergeant John Price, was a prisoner of war in the Far East and was one of the lucky ones who made it home after the war. He kept a diary throughout his time in the Far East, written on cigarette packets and scraps of paper, but back in England he never talked about being a POW. I think it is so important that we remember.”

Says Paul Watson from COFEPOW, the 70th anniversary of VJ Day is a very important one. “Sadly many of the prisoners of war who returned from the Far East are no longer with us and so younger people often do not know about this important chapter in our history. The suffering of many was immense and our new members will be joining others who want to ensure that the suffering they went through is not forgotten.”

Following the fall of Singapore to the Japanese on 15th February 1942, almost 200,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers became prisoners of war in the Far East. Thousands of these left Singapore on prison ships – “hell ships” – to be used as forced labour in other parts of Asia. Nearly 10,000 of these men died building the Burma-Thailand railway with many more dying as a result of starvation, barbaric treatment and tropical diseases.

There will be events across the UK to commemorate Victory over Japan Day 2015 this Saturday, including in Horse Guards Parade in Central London and a Service of Remembrance at Lichfield Cathedral, with an Address by Terry Waite CBE.

For more information about COFEPOW visit www.cofepow.org.uk.

Book launch to raise funds for COFEPOW

A new book about the experiences of a Far East Prisoner of War is being launched in London on Tuesday 28 July, with 30% of the proceeds going to national charity COFEPOW.

The launch of Benedict’s Brother and the Benedict’s Appeal takes place on Tuesday 28 July in London, in conjunction with COFEPOW, at Foyles bookshop and the Victory Services Club. The charity’s supporters and all those interested are invited to go along.

The acclaimed “Book of the Year” novel by Tricia Walker is based on the story of her great uncle who was a Far East Prisoner of War and Tricia has kindly agreed to donate 30% of the book and film proceeds to COFEPOW (Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War).

COFEPOW is a national charity dedicated to to keeping alive the memory of Far East Prisoners of War and raising awareness of the suffering they endured.

The event takes place from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Foyles on Charing Cross Road, and then from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the Victory Services Club on Seymour Street.

Five Star Fairbanking Mark for London Capital Credit Union

The Fairbanking Foundation – the not-for-profit charity dedicated to encouraging banking institutions to improve the financial well-being of their customers – has awarded its first Mark certifications to credit unions, with London Capital Credit Union receiving 5 stars for its personal loan products.

London Capital Credit Union had to demonstrate that its personal loan customers have experienced a tangible positive impact on their financial wellbeing from using their products.

Martin Groombridge, Chief executive of London Capital Credit Union

Speaking about the award of the 5 star mark, Martin Groombridge, CEO, London Capital Credit Union, said: “Our focus is always on our members, which is why 76% of our personal loan customers interviewed by the Foundation said that they had one or more other products with us. It is not just about offering competitive and transparent products, but also a range of features and services that help people manage their money better.

“Many in the financial services industry are too obsessed with getting into best-buy tables, but to do this transparency can often be lost with many products offering short term “teaser rates” that can quickly get expensive. People with these products can end up worse off than if they chose another product that takes a more holistic approach to helping customers with their money.”

Fairbanking’s assessment also reviews the provider’s complaints procedures and experience for the product in question. Antony Elliott, Chief Executive of Fairbanking Foundation said: “Our quality mark programme is an important step in helping customers to identify products that have been rigorously tested for the financial well-being they can deliver. Crucially, it also provides a powerful incentive for financial institutions of all sizes to compete through continual improvement of their products in ways that will truly benefit their customers.”

Over the last ten years, London Capital Credit Union has seen a 1,400% increase in members’ savings from £436,000 to over £6 million. And as co-operative, London Capital Credit Union is owned and controlled by its members – not outside shareholders.

Find out more at www.credit-union.coop.

Father and son’s cycling challenge raises over £1,000 for charity

Paul and James Housden in Bridlington at the end of their Coast to Coast cycling challenge

A father and son from Preston have raised over £1, 000 for national charity COFEPOW by successfully completing a cross country cycling challenge.

Paul Housden and his son James cycled across Lancashire and Yorkshire from Morecambe to Bridlington to raise funds for national charity COFEPOW, which is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of prisoners of war held in the Far East in World War Two.

As well as raising funds for the charity, Paul and James wanted to highlight the suffering of the Far East prisoners of war, as this year sees the 70th anniversary year of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day. More than 200,000 Allied civilians and service personnel were taken prisoner by the Japanese and by VJ Day, on 15 August 1945, some 50,000 of these people had died.

Paul says: “We’re very pleased to have successfully completed the Coast to Coast cycle ride. Day one was very challenging as it poured down for 55 miles across the Pennines, but day two was much better with a nice breeze from behind and only a couple of showers.

“I came off my bike once and finished up with some cuts and bruises, but I survived. I thought about what happened to my Dad in the war and that stopped me feeling too sorry for myself.”

Paul Watson from COFEPOW says: “We are delighted that Paul and James got from Morecambe to Bridlington by bike and we can’t thank them enough for raising funds for COFEPOW. The money collected will go towards building a memorial garden for Far East prisoners of war at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. We would also like to thank all those who donated and supported them.”

Paul Housden adds: “My Father was a POW in the Far East and it is hard to imagine just how much he and thousands of others suffered. COFEPOW exists to ensure this important part of history is kept alive. What we went through on the cycle ride was a small effort compared to what my Father and many others like him went through in World War Two.”

The 70th anniversary of VJ Day takes place on 15 August 2015 and there will be a number of events taking place around the country to commemorate this important occasion.

There is still time to sponsor Paul and James by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Housden and to find out more about Far East Prisoners of War visit www.cofepow.org.uk.

Commemorating 70 years since Victory in Japan

Saturday 15th August 2015 marks the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Japan (VJ Day)

This important anniversary of VJ Day is being marked by national charity COFEPOW, as part of its aim to ensure that World War Two Far East Prisoners of War are never forgotten.

Key events to commemorate Victory in Japan Day

Saturday 15th August 2015

At 2pm, there will be a Service of Remembrance at Lichfield Cathedral to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day. There will be an Address by Terry Waite CBE, and the service will be followed by performances from the West Midlands Fellowship Band and the West Midlands Police Choir.

Sunday 16th August 2015

At 12.15pm, there will be a service at the COFEPOW Memorial Building at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. The service will be conducted by David Childs CBE RN (Rtd) and will be followed by the blessing and re-dedication of the building and the opening of the new FEPOW Remembrance Garden. There will also be a Royal Air Force fly past by a world famous DC-3 Dakota Transport Plane.

Key facts about Victory in Japan

• At 6.10 on the evening of 15th February 1942, Lieutenant General Percival surrenders to the Japanese in Singapore.

• Almost 200,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers became prisoners of war in the Far East.

• Thousands were held in Singapore’s Changi Prison, where many died.

• Thousands more left Singapore on prison ships – “hell ships” – to be used as forced labour in other parts of Asia.

• Nearly 10,000 of these men died building the Burma-Thailand railway.
• Thousands of others died as a result of starvation, barbaric treatment and tropical diseases.

• Civilians fared no better. Tens of thousands were killed by the Japanese.

• The Japanese surrendered on 15th August 1945.

• By then, 50,000 prisoners of war had been killed.

Father and Son cycle across England to commemorate Victory in Japan Day

A father and son cycling duo from Lostock Hall, Preston are cycling across England to raise awareness of the plight of World War Two prisoners of war.

Paul and James Housden cycling for COFEPOW

Paul and James Housden are cycling for COFEPOW

Paul Housden and son James are cycling across Lancashire and Yorkshire from Morecambe to Bridlington to raise funds for national charity, COFEPOW, which is dedicated to keeping alive the memory of prisoners of war held in the Far East in World War Two.

More than 200,000 allied civilians and service personnel were taken prisoner by the Japanese in February 1942. By Victory in Japan Day some 50,000 of these people had died.

Says Paul: “My father was a POW in the Far East and it is so hard to conceive what he and thousands of others went through. COFEPOW exists to ensure this important part of history is kept alive.”

Son James is keen to help raise funds for COFEPOW as away of recognising his grandfather’s contribution: “Having listened to dad talk about some of the things granddad and his fellow captives went through, it’s very important that the coming generations have knowledge of what happened to the forgotten army.”

The ride, which will take two full days of cycling across the Lancashire and Yorkshire dales and moors, and says Paul: “We will face a total climb of 4,222 ft and some 141 miles, but compared to what my Father went through, it is a small effort to pay tribute to him and his fellow POWs.”

If you would like to sponsor Paul and James, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Housden and to find out more about Far East Prisoners of War visit www.cofepow.org.uk.