Axis Person fundraising for Demelza with skydiveNews

In our Element – 12 Months of Fun Fundraising

May 22, 2019By

Axis people are in our element – snow, ice, water, air, mud – when we are fundraising. Swimming, boxing, flying, running, climbing, walking, dancing, eating (even not eating) – there’s no stopping us!

In the last twelve months (2018/9) we raised nearly £40,000 for Demelza Children’s Hospice and of course our very own Axis Foundation. You’ll have seen us in our office-based Axis Bake Offs and Charity Dress Down Fridays. Plus you may have spotted some of us:

In the Water

Laura Tuck’s Swimming Challenge raised £565

In the Air

Sadie Hack’s Skydive raised £768

In the Ring

Rebecca Lock’s Kickboxing Tournament raised £110

On Terra Firma

22 Axis Tough Mudders got down and dirty and raised £4,500; 20 of our lovely RLOs took a more sedate walk in the park, raising £1,300. Nicola Williams’ South Coast Challenge raised £1,300; Nayim Rahman’s City Runs contributed £447 and our brave runners who completed The Big Half Marathon put £4,000 into the collection tin.

And on Terra not so firm!

Five Men on summit of Arctic Mountain for Demelza Arctic Challenge Fundraiser
Ain’t no mountain high enough! Our brave chilly challengers, Axis Arctic Challenge Team completed a four-day 100km trek up Mt Kebnekaise, the highest mountain in Sweden and raised £10,000. Their hearts were greatly warmed by enthusiastic peer support at the Arctic Challenge Quiz Night (£1,700) and Race Night (£1,200). Their courage scooped them Demelza’s Bespoke Fundraising Event of the Year Award.

On the Dance Floor

Our Axis Disco raised funds to the tune of £2,000.
And finally…

On – and off – a Diet

Selection of cakes at Bake sale fundraising for Demelza
Afternoon Tea Week and Sarah Cooper’s Cake sale put £400 worth of icing on the cake; Michelle Wilson’s Biggest Loser Competition gained an impressive £78. And the seven brave chocoholics who gave up chocolate during Dechox for Demelza added a sweet £745 to the melting pot.

But that’s not all!

Our annual Axis Foundation Charity Ball and Axis Foundation Celebrity Golf Day both took place again this year, adding even more to the fundraising pot for great causes.

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Walsall Wood Colliers Under 12s Football TeamDonations

Walsall Wood Colliers U12s Football Team

April 30, 2019By

League-winning U12s Football Team receives a champion sum

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £370 will help towards buying the Walsall Wood Colliers U12s football team a brand new kit in their home colour, red, for next season. Here are the league winners in their away kit of blue and yellow.

I was absolutely delighted to receive the donation from Axis Foundation on behalf of Walsall Wood Colliers. This will help us kit out our team for next season. The coaches put in a lot of hours running a team and every bit of help is welcome as we rely on donations and sponsorship for all our kit and equipment which enable the kids to train and play” – Julian Worrall, Coach and Manager

More about Walsall Wood Colliers

Walsall Wood Colliers Under 12s is one of Walsall Wood FC’s many junior youth teams. The Colliers’ Manager and Coach is Julian Worrall who has been in this role for six years. Julian volunteers a large amount of his ‘spare’ time to coach and manage his junior youth team which numbers 18 in all.

“We are very focused on the community at Walsall Wood FC,” Julian says. “Our aim in the Junior Youth League is to encourage and develop children to play sport and to be part of a team. We get them off their computers and outside.”

As Julian’s son used to play for the Colliers too, he is in a good position to know the benefits of playing in a youth squad for young people. He says: “I like seeing how the children develop over the years. Some of them started in our Academy and have the opportunity to go right on through to the Senior team on their footballing journey. They are like an extended family.”

There are over 30 teams at Walsall Wood FC which is a registered charity and Chartered FA Club: from the Academy 5-7s to the Under 18s including girls teams and (soon) a team for people with disability. All the coaches/managers are FA licensed and all are volunteers.

 

 

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Young Man at the Fluence Foundation being helped with his communication skillsDonations

Fluence Foundation

April 30, 2019By

Literacy skills lead to education and employment

Fluence Foundation helps vulnerable adults and young people, including the homeless and ex-offenders, improve communication skills leading to education and employment.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £2,400 will purchase the licence for the Communicate software to help 30 more people gain literacy and communication skills so they can receive formal education and gain employment.

“On behalf of the Fluence Foundation, I would like to thank Axis Foundation for their kind donation to our project. With your help we will be able to help the homeless clients of Birmingham Crisis by diagnosing any literacy difficulties they might have and provide practical support to overcome these difficulties. Doing so will ensure they have the skills needed to access the other services Crisis provide and stand a better chance of being able to improve their situation” – Paul Bruton, Project Co-Ordinator

More About Fluence Foundation

Those without basic communication (reading, writing, talking) skills become vulnerable, dependent and isolated, finding it hard to connect with others, to engage with society. They are often unable to access employment, training or education to improve their lot. West Midlands-based Fluence runs support sessions using a catch-up, one-to-one intervention called Communicate. They report a significant beneficial impact on the confidence and literacy/communication skills of the people they help in a very short time.

Communicate diagnoses areas of weakness, then focuses on teaching high-frequency language and key grammar rules. Its learning structure uses repetition and achievable successes to ensure the learner grows in confidence and masters the language. Training in speaking clearly and making eye contact, answering a phone or being interviewed is also given – all are examples of communication that, when mastered, lead ultimately to independence.

The Fluence Foundation has successfully run three projects: two helped ex-offenders towards employment; the third gave unemployed adults the literacy skills to access training and employment.

 

 

 

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Care

HOPE

April 3, 2019By

Support for children with epilepsy and their families

The Axis Foundation’s £2,000 donation to HOPE will buy Anti-Suffocation Pillows for children with Epilepsy. Anti Suffocation Pillows help those lying face down with convulsive seizures to breathe more easily thereby helping to prevent brain damage and death.

“The HOPE Team are absolutely thrilled that the Axis Foundation has agreed to make a donation to help HOPE fund Anti Suffocation Pillows for children with Complex Epilepsy. From the bottom of my heart thank you to you all at the Axis Foundation for this generous donation! We can help so many children now with our Anti Suffocation Pillow Project. It’s truly amazing and We are over the moon. Once again, thank you Axis Foundation for assisting us carrying on our work”
Dr Nadine Gurr – Chair

“We are extremely grateful to the Axis Foundation for their kind donation to HOPE. Childhood epilepsy can be stressful for the whole family, particularly as many children with epilepsy also have additional needs. This generous donation will help us in our aim to support children with epilepsy and their families. It will be used to buy Anti-Suffocation Pillows, which families tell us can help to reduce their worries about their children sleeping in their own bedrooms at night”
Dr Sophie Bennett – Vice Chair

More About HOPE

At HOPE children with epilepsy can meet each other, have fun, learn to “enjoy life” and not feel so alone. Volunteers play with the children and their siblings and provide respite for the parents. HOPE encourages parents of children with epilepsy and carers to meet, relax over refreshments, share information and build relationships. This helps reduce stress and anxiety enabling them to be better emotionally equipped to support their child.

Overall, HOPE aims to promote awareness regarding the problems and circumstances of families living with epilepsy. The children who attend London-based HOPE suffer from complex epilepsy with different seizure types. Many have other conditions associated with complex epilepsy such as autism, developmental delay, ADHD and physical disabilities.

HOPE’s Anti Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Project provides Anti Suffocation Pillows free of charge to any child living in the Greater London area who suffers from convulsive seizures

 

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Swimming lessons funding being given to young boyDonations

Support Tommy Brown Fund

March 29, 2019By

Providing swimming lessons for little Tommy

In March 2012 Tommy Brown contracted the ‘B strain’ of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The disease was so aggressive and extensive that he was given only a 5 per cent chance of survival. Despite this, he defied the odds and did survive; but his parents were given the devastating news that he was going have to lose all four of his limbs. In total, Tommy spent a total of three months in hospital undergoing surgery, including six weeks in the intensive care unit.

Julie Tuckley, Tommy’s mum said: “It makes me cry to see Tommy alert and looking about, then looking at where his hands and legs used to be, as if he is wondering where they are. It was so painful to see him suffer and go through the operations – we’re very lucky to still have our beautiful boy.”

Seven years later, Tommy is now a courageous young boy who adapts remarkably well to everyday life and the challenges thrown at him. He loves swimming; and has swimming lessons at local swimming baths. When he is swimming Tommy says he feels free.

Our donation of £1,600 is funding Tommy’s swimming lessons for a year.

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Help for children who have a disability affecting their movement control.Disability

The Movement Centre

March 25, 2019By

Help for children with disability affecting their movement control

The Movement Centre offers a specialist therapy, Targeted Training, which helps children who have a disability affecting their movement control.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,000 will give children who come to The Movement Centre a personalised activity pack and enhance the sensory items at the Centre.

“We are extremely grateful to the Axis Foundation for their generous support of The Movement Centre. We provide a specialist therapy called Targeted Training to help children with movement disabilities to gain control of their movement, which means they can have far more independence. The grant will enable us to create activity packs and purchase sensory item so that we can enhance our therapy sessions. This will give the children who come to The Movement Centre an even better chance of reaching their full potential”  – Victoria Handbury-Madin, Chief Executive

More About The Movement Centre

Unique to The Movement Centre, Targeted Training combines a specialist standing frame and physiotherapy. The child remains in an upright position while the standing frame stabilises and supports him. Daily practise is essential so encouraging and engaging the child is an important part of Targeted Training.

A course of Targeted Training can help children: gain head control, so they can interact with their family; develop the skills to sit unaided, so that they can play with their friends and even learn to walk, so they can be far more independent. Goals are specific and measurable and detailed reports are written at each assessment and at the end of the course, where all outcome measures are reviewed. These are shared with the family and the child’s other clinicians.

Many of the children who come to the Shropshire-based Movement Centre have Cerebral Palsy or Global Developmental Delay, but Targeted Training therapy can also be suitable for children who have an acquired brain injury, Down Syndrome and other Genetic Disorders.

“Parents were very pleased with the support and treatment their children received at the centre and reported they were ‘amazed’ at the progress their children were making” – Care Quality Commission

Reports from parents of children who have a disability affecting their movement control

“We feel more confident that Eddie is ready for each new step! The regular follow ups are brilliant.”

“The Movement Centre team have given Henry the confidence and strength that he needs on his road to independence, we can’t thank you enough.”

“Absolutely amazing team, working wonders with our son Harry. Couldn’t be any more happy.”

“It’s been one of the best things we could have done for Rosa. Her life has changed for the better because of the treatment from The Movement Centre.”

“Everyone/all the family has benefitted greatly from Targeted Training and the help and the support we’ve received from TMC.”

“It’s given our son an amazing chance to work towards his independence.”

 

 

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Ten years of giving logo is Large-10-graphic-with-red-anniversary-bannerNews

Decade of Donations – our 10th birthday

March 1, 2019By

The Axis Foundation celebrates 10 years of giving in 2019.  Since the Foundation started making donations, we have given over £1.3 million to 170 small, impactful and local causes.

Ten years of giving

Since 2009, in hospitals and hospices we have provided vital equipment and improved facilities for the sick and those with life-limiting illnesses. We have funded medical research into children’s illnesses and provided nursing care.

The Foundation has supported anti-knife crime and youth safety initiatives. And reached out the hand of friendship to those who are isolated through practical donations in the form of adapted minibuses and cars.

We have helped vulnerable children and adults feel safe and warm and to meet, socialise and engage in activities as well as receive appropriate care and facilities.

Money perhaps cannot buy happiness, but our donations have certainly brought millions of smiles and support and relief to those in need.

Where we started

The people of Axis set the very first Foundation stone with their spirit of giving.

Says CEO John Hayes: “I set the Foundation up originally to try and formalise and capture all the elements of “giving” that we were already doing right across the company. To say it has exceeded my wildest expectations in ten years of giving is a massive understatement.”

Axis people – ten years of fundraising activity

To support the charitable arm of their company Axis people demonstrate amazing enthusiasm and inventiveness in in ten years of giving. They have run marathons, climbed mountains, abseiled and jumped from planes with parachutes. The braved tough mudders and paintballing. Others test their brain cells at Quiz Nights and bake beautiful products for sale. Some have had their heads shaved or danced til they drop at a fundraiser disco. There is no limit to their imagination, resourcefulness or their generosity.

And our friends and clients help too…

Further funds are raised through our Charity Golf Day and Charity Ball where our very generous guests dig deep for the Foundation.

And it all goes to…

The funds they all raise go into the Axis Foundation, along with a sizeable corporate donation from Axis. From here here they are distributed to small, worthy and local causes, to give people a hand up – rather than a hand out.

Thank you

… To all who have helped the Foundation’s work in the communities we serve. Here’s to the next ten years of giving!

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Live performances for patrons with additional needsDisability

Worcester Live

February 27, 2019By

Improving access for theatre goers with disability

Worcester Live has increased the access for 1250 people at the Worcester Rep by offering support to theatre patrons with additional needs. These include:

  • signed performances  for deaf and hearing impaired patrons;
  • audio described performances  for blind and visual impaired patrons
  • relaxed performance – for audience members with specific disabilities such as autism, learning difficulties, physical disabilities, spectrum conditions and dementia

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,000 to Worcester Live will go towards paying for the expert specialised trained interpreter who will deliver signed performances for deaf and hearing-impaired patrons and also to necessary specialised equipment. This will help Worcester Live continue to provide this service of access for patrons with disabilities and specialised needs.

“We are delighted to have received the donation from the Axis Foundation, which will help us in reaching out to our patrons with additional needs. The support, which is so valuable, will help us in providing Signed, Audio Described and Relaxed performances at the Swan Theatre during the next year.

“We are so thrilled to be able to offer minority groups in our community the opportunity to come into our venue and see shows, knowing they are being provided for at a level that is right for them and accessing the performances no matter what their additional needs may be.

“Thank you for helping us to make the magic of live theatre become real for all our community” – Chris Jaeger, Chief Executive, Worcester Live

 

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Axis Foundation donations hand up graphicNews

Foundation First: Generous January

February 1, 2019By

Axis Foundation kicks off 10th birthday celebrations with new initiative, Generous January

Generous January invited all Axis people to submit their ideas of local and impactful individuals, charities, clubs and community organisations that they cared deeply about and thought might benefit from some New Year Cheer. Because they live and work in local communities, Axis people are excellently placed to nominate those who would most benefit from a hand up – rather than a hand out!

All the nominees were submitted to the Axis Foundation Trustees in January 2019 – and they all received a donation! The Axis Foundation has already celebrated two Big Christmas Giveaways which, with their first Generous January, makes a total of £30,000 donated to nominated ‘giveaway’ causes.

Nominations and Donations

Sands Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity
Foundation Donation provides medals for fun day

Cunningham House Care Home for People with Dementia North Weald
Foundation Donation contributes to sensory room helping people with cognitive and physical impairments

DOTS, Dogs on the Street, caring for the pets of homeless people
Foundation Donation helps with running costs/every day costs

Holland’s & Blair Under 8s
Foundation Donation goes towards equipment to further develop them as footballers and as a team

Tubbenden Primary School, Orpington
Foundation Donation goes towards buying play and garden equipment

Sophie’s Wish
Foundation Donation goes towards installing a wheelchair ramp at the holiday home for sick children

Resident in Social Housing
Foundation Donation refurbishes an elderly resident’s flat and buys new bedding and equipment to make a home

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London Wheelchar Rugby Club Team PhotoDonations

London Wheelchair Rugby Club

January 15, 2019By

Enabling people with disability to enjoy benefits of Wheelchair Rugby

The London Wheelchair Rugby Club offers many benefits to people with disability as Wheelchair Rugby is a great way to get fit and be part of a team..

Because of the constant high-impact collisions in the game, the specialised wheelchairs often need a wheel replacement, new tyre or tube. The safety equipment also often needs replacing or updating. So, the Axis Foundation’s donation of £2,000 will buy wheelchair spares and training equipment.

“Our aim has always been to lift the burden financially from our players who often live day to day on disability benefits. If we can be the one to find the next £1 then they can be left to concentrate on playing the sport they love. Whether it’s trying to reach the heights of competing for Great Britain at the 2020 Paralympics or being able to forget about their day to day worries for a few hours at training, this is our aim as a club.

Without your help and very generous donations this would be near impossible for us to achieve. Everyone at the London Wheelchair Rugby Club thanks you for helping us achieve the goals we set ourselves and the club collectively and hope that our relationships continue on for as long as you can continue to support us.

“We are delighted as the grant will help us so much! We are training for the 2020 Paralympics now and really hoping some of our amazing players will be selected again! We are so proud of them and what they have had to overcome. They really are an inspiration” – Steve Palmer, Chairman

More About Wheelchair Rugby

Wheelchair Rugby, with its requirements of speed and agility, is a great way to get fit and be part of a team, especially for those with higher levels of disabilities. Many have very few options to take part in sport. Rehabilitation through sport brings huge benefits, not just physically but psychologically too with increased independence and a social network too. Four LWRC players represented GB in the 2016 Paralympics. We hope to see them represent Team GB in the next Olympics too!

“It’s the beginning of an amazing journey for me and I have such a sense of accomplishment and joy” – LWRC member, Oliver Mangion, 21

 

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