New book on bereavement given warm welcome at Compton Hospice launch

We are thrilled at the reception given to the book written by Compton Hospice bereavement counsellor, Dodie Graves, at an official launch at the charity.

Wolverhampton’s mayor, Councillor Surjan Singh Duhra was among the many guests who attended the event at The Cedars recently.

Dodie has used her considerable experience in working with grieving relatives, having counselled for more than 15 years, to write Talking with Bereaved People – An Approach for Structured and Sensitive Communication.

As well as the mayor, Dodie was joined by members of her bereavement visiting team from the hospice, health workers, Passionate Media director, Carol Garrington and a number of people whom she has counselled over the years.

All proceeds from the sale of the book are to be donated by Dodie to Compton Hospice.

Darlaston restaurant curries favour with kidney cancer charity

Suki's Bar and Indian restaurant is getting involved in a special awareness week in aid of kidney cancer later this month, so please go along and try out the kidney bean curry and give them some support - it really is for an excellent cause.

Britain's Biggest Curry Party is aimed at raising awareness of kidney cancer - one of the least known forms of cancer - which kills almost 4,000 people each year.

Despite the number of deaths - more than are killed on Britain's roads each year - a recent survey revealed a shockingly low awareness of the disease.

The research showed that even fewer people had any idea what caused it – primarily, believed to be smoking.

The event has been organised by the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, the UK’s leading kidney cancer specialist charity, which was set up by the broadcaster after he was diagnosed with the disease.

October special offer - promote yourselves for less with our help

A HUGE thank you to Libby Hill, of Small Talk for the following testimonial - we are thrilled with the results we helped achieve, and really pleased at what it has done for her business.

And with our October special offers, anyone hoping to repeat the success can now do so for less.

For October only, we are offering some great deals on podcasts and press releases.

Compton bereavement counsellor's major new book set to boost hospice

CONGRATULATIONS to Compton Hospice bereavement counsellor Dodie Gray, who has turned author to help others who regularly work with people who have lost loved ones, publishing a new book which will also raise money for the charity.

Mrs Graves has used her considerable experience in working with grieving relatives, having counselled for more than 15 years, to write Talking with Bereaved People – An Approach for Structured and Sensitive Communication.

As bereavement service co-ordinator for Compton, Mrs Graves recruits, trains and supervises a team of voluntary bereavement visitors, and has an excellent understanding of the approach and skills needed to deal with the delicate and often difficult subject of grief.

Bloggers unite in festive theatre campaign to boost children's cancer charity

Photo by Ell Brown on Flickr

UK parent bloggers are joining forces to laugh their socks off while raising cash for a children’s cancer charity.

Bloggers are signing up for The Great Panto Review 2009 which will benefit NACCPO – The National Alliance of Childhood Cancer Parents’ Organisations.

Leading theatres in England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to give bloggers access so their reviews can spread ‘word of mouth’ throughout the blogospshere.

Cardiff’s New Theatre where John Barrowman is appearing as Robin Hood and the Birmingham Hippodrome where Ray Quinn and Joe Pasquale will star in Sleeping Beauty were among the first to pledge to welcome the bloggers and back the charity effort.

Double your giving in Compton Hospice Will Week

COMPTON Hospice is offering the chance to double the contribution you make during their Make a Will Week.

By taking part in the week, from Monday October 5 to Saturday October 10, you can get your Will written by a solicitor at a heavily discounted rate and provide funds to the Wolverhampton hospice at the same time.

During the week a dozen solicitors' branches across the Midlands will be offering to write a basic Will for just £60 and make a donation of £30 to the hospice for every Will completed.

"The Will week gives people the chance to make sure they are properly prepared for the future with a professionally drawn up Will at a bargain price and support a really good cause at the same time," said Karen Phillips, head of corporate funding at Compton Hospice.

For more details or a booking form see the Compton Hospice website.

Inspirational speaker to boost credit crunch beating business conference

INSPIRATIONAL charity boss Sheila Brown will share her top tips for success with an audience of entrepreneurs at a Cannock business exhibition to help firms overcome the credit crunch.

Mrs Brown OBE, chief executive at Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, will be one of the key speakers at the Wings business network exhibition, being held at Chase Park (Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club), Church Lane, Hatherton, on Friday October 16 from 9am to 4pm.

And support of a different kind is hoped for at the event, as another charity is asking businesswomen attending to donate unwanted bras.

The Great Panto Review 2009 - Please support NACCPO and bloggers!

Photo by Sallycat101 on Flickr

HAVING been invited to sample what's on offer from the likes of Disney, Butlins and the Frankfurt Motor Show, we knew that marketeers are plugging into the  'word of mouth' buzz created by bloggers.

We wanted to harness that power to do something positive and today posted about a 'collaborative blogging project' which can hopefully have parent bloggers laughing their socks off, while also making a difference to children's charity, NACCPO.

Please read this to understand more.

If you'd like to support NACCPO, whether or not you'll be visiting a panto this year, please visit our Justgiving page. I have set a target for the time being which I hope is realistic. This may change, depending how we go.

Thank you!

Communities unite to help African children

Photo from Hands At Work on Flickr

SCHOOL, church and community groups from Cheslyn Hay and Great Wyrley are uniting to fund hands-on work by volunteers to help children affected by Aids in South Africa.

In July next year a group of volunteers including businessmen, mums, and churchgoers is set to visit South Africa to help two charities providing life-saving support for orphaned and vulnerable children.

Making money from commercial writing workshops - London and Birmingham

WE'VE confirmed dates and venues for our next workshops for freelance journalists wanting to boost their income with commercial writing work.

Prices have been set at a rate to be affordable in these tough times and we are keen to make sure the sessions are excellent value for money.

Places are limited to ensure feedback is specific enough to attendees' particular questions.

Testimonials from previous attendees can be found here.

Dates are:

Friends' House, Euston Road, London, Saturday November 14.

Priory Rooms, Bull Street, Birmingham, Saturday November 28