BUSINESS INFLUENCE LUNCHEON RAISES THOUSANDS FOR NCH

Over 20,000 children and teenagers at local centres run by children’s charity NCH will benefit from a recent gathering of over 200 business leaders at Birmingham’s premier business networking event, the Business Influence Luncheon.

[ClickPress, Mon Dec 11 2006] Over 20,000 children and teenagers at local centres run by children’s charity NCH will benefit from a recent gathering of over 200 business leaders at Birmingham’s premier business networking event, the Business Influence Luncheon.

The event, held at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel on 10 November 2006, raised over £22,000. BBC Midlands Today presenter Sarah Falkland hosted the luncheon, while actress Shirley Anne Field and celebrity chef Aldo Zilli were the guest speakers.

The funds raised are a major boost for NCH’s West Midlands Every Child Matters Appeal, which is highlighting issues including poverty and disability faced by thousands of local children and teenagers, and aims to raise £300,000 to help fund NCH’s local services.

“Our guests had a thoroughly enjoyable time, networking over a glass or two of wine and raising funds for a very important cause. I’d like to thank our guest host and speakers. The banter between Sarah Falkland and Aldo Zilli was hilarious. Watch this space for our tenth anniversary event,” said Ruth Armstrong, Chair of Business Influence and partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing solicitors.

“This is great news for our local services and will help make a massive difference to the local children and teenagers who use them,” said Claire Morris, NCH West Midlands Fundraising Manager.

The theme of the event was ‘Food, Glorious Food’. Guests enjoyed a drinks reception, with the opportunity to taste specially created canapés whilst browsing through market stalls full of food and drink from around the world.

Local firms Jones & Palmer, HBJ Gateley Wareing solicitors, Kroll, PerfectArc and Big Giant Head sponsored the Business Influence Luncheon. Since 1998 the annual event has raised over £130,000 for NCH.

NCH, formerly known as National Children’s Home, today works with more children and young people than any other charity. Its West Midlands services include support for young carers; accommodation, moral and practical support for young people who are leaving care or are homeless; and care for disabled children and their families. NCH also runs local adoption and fostering, educational, divorce mediation and family support services.

The Every Child Matters Appeal will benefit over 20,000 children across the West Midlands. Donations of just 50 pence could pay for a brochure for children explaining about separation and divorce, £5 could fund a disabled child’s place in an after-school activity session and £20 could buy a hot lunch for all the children in a playgroup.

To donate or to support NCH, call 0121 321 5180, or write to ‘Every Child Matters Appeal’, NCH, 8 Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1TJ. Please make cheques payable to NCH.

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Notes to editors

1. NCH is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, working in partnership to run nearly 500 services for more than 160,000 of the UK’s most vulnerable children, young people and their families

2. NCH was previously known as National Children's Home. It rebranded in 2000 to become NCH, the children's charity.

3. For further information visit www.nch.org.uk