Aquathlon Challenge coming to Cheltenham

This year The Pied Piper Appeal is teaming up with the Sandford Parks Lido to organise the first annual Pied Piper Junior Aquathlon on Sunday 22nd August in Cheltenham.

The Aquathlon is open for children aged between 8 and 16 and comprises of a swim in the heated main pool at the lido, followed by a run around Sandford Park. It is designed as an introduction to Triathlons and will help raise money for these two local causes.

The event is being held on the same days as the Friends of the Lido's Family Fun Day and should a fantastic summer event for children during the summer holidays.

For your entry form and more information about this event please visit www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk, Or call Iain Barton on 01242 524430, Email race@sandfordparkslido.org.uk

Improvements at Shrubberies School

The Shrubberies School has a brand new look for their Speech and Therapy room as well as huge improvements to their medical facilities thanks to local children's charity The Pied Piper Appeal.

The Shrubberies School in Stonehouse caters for children and young people with special educational needs between the ages of 2 and 19 years, with accommodation for up to 90 pupils. They have recently received funding from the charity to help fund new medical equipment as well as structural changes to improve the environment and usability of these important areas.

The new environment and equipment include a medical couch, additional games and toys used in speech therapy, improved lighting, storage and more space for the therapy area.

Three Musketeers

On Sunday 25th July the Jenny Wren Productions returned to Highnam Court to perform their latest play the Three Musketeers.

The audience were transported back to 17th century Paris and followed the young D'Artagnan as he embarked on an undercover mission of great importance to recover the Queen's diamonds. It really was a fun evening of drama for the entire family with a story filled with sword fighting, scheming, spying and secret rendezvous. All for one and one for all!

Sam's Swim Challenge in Memory

16 year old Sam Bellingham completed the British Gas Great London Swim, which is a 1 mile swim challenge in the heart of the Capital at the rejuvenated London Docklands area.

The St Edwards School pupil chose to support the charity and take up this challenge, which saw him finishing just 232nd out of the field of 3,143 swimmers in memory of his friend and classmate Holly Grogan who sadly died last year.

Sam's Dad Andrew works for Laitwaites Wine who has donated £250.00 to The Pied Piper Appeal in sponsorship. Andrew said: "Sam's swim is a great achievement considering this was the first challenge like this he has undertaken. So far Sam has raised £680.00 with more to come."

Sunny weather for the Forest Fun Run 2010

This year the Forest Fun Run at Forest Leisure, Cinderford was blessed with a beautiful sunny day with dozens of runners turning out to support The Pied Piper Appeal and Great Oaks Hospice.

The Pied Piper Appeal's share of the money raised at the 2009 event has provided a new blood saturation monitor for the Dilke Memorial Hospital in Cinderford. This special machine is specifically for use on babies and children and measure how much oxygen is in the patients' blood.

Success at Gloucestershire Motor Show

The inaugural Gloucestershire Motor Show held at Highnam Court over the weekend of 12 and 13 June 2010 has produced an excellent profit that will be split 50/50 between Cruse Bereavement Care and The Pied Piper Appeal.

The two charities combined to create the show and were amazed and delighted at the success achieved. The sunshine came out, and there was huge support from Gloucestershire Motor Dealers, the sponsors and Roger Head, who owns the lovely venue of Highnam Court. This combined with the generosity of the people of Gloucestershire, provided a fiesta of motoring and a lot of fun for families and gardeners, who were very fortunate to see the Highnam Court gardens at their absolute prime.

250 walkers step out for neonatal monitors

The Pied Piper Appeal's campaign to raise £50,000 to provide 5 state of the art neonatal monitors for the new unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital got off to a flying start on Sunday 6th June with the Walkathon 2010.

250 walkers enjoyed the weather and embarked on the walk around the outskirts of Gloucester, hoping to raise £20,000 through individual sponsorship to provide 2 of these much needed monitors. The new unit at the hospital in Gloucester will provide round-the-clock intensive care and high dependency support for newly born babies who require some help in the first few days or months of life. These specialist monitors are vital in the care of premature and sick neonates.

Playtime at The Heart of the Forest School

Playtime at the Heart of the Forest School won't be the same thanks to local children's charity The Pied Piper Appeal who have funded some new play equipment.

The School is currently undergoing a major building programme to improve their buildings and facilities. This has resulted in very limited outside space for the children to play in during their break and lunchtimes.

The charity has funded some new play panels, costing over £8,000, which have now been installed and provide activities and stimulations for children of varying abilities, and are secured in the playground to liven up playtime. Once the building work is complete these panels will become part of a much bigger sensory walk for the children.

"All the staff and children are grateful to The Pied Piper Appeal for funding the new equipment, as well as how efficient the local company PlayAhead have been in supplying and fitting the play panels." Said Mr Paul Lisseman from The Heart of the Forest School.

Wye Danceathon

Three local dance teachers are taking on more than your average danceathon. On Saturday 8th May 2010 Nic, Kim and Sarah, and a coach full of their pupils, will be completing a 45 minute dance class in all 5 leisure centres in the Forest of Dean area, all on the same day. They will be collecting individual sponsorship and each class will be open to the public to pay to join in their challenge.

The classes are open to all, please see our events diary for more information about how to get involved.

Thank you to all the sponsors: Freemans of Newent , The Speech House Hotel, Crystal Travel and Heritage Travel Coach Hire.

Cycle Across Britain

Their challenge in 2008 when they cycled from London to Paris to raise money for The Pied Piper Appeal has inspired Mark Fabian and David Smart to joint the Cycle Across Britain.

Mark explained this latest challenge: "I will be trying to ride my bike from John 'O Groats to Land's End having enjoyed London to Paris a couple of years ago. The ride is organised by James Cracknell and I am lucky enough to have a place. JC has decided we are going the wrong way - North to South - into the prevailing winds; that we should do it in only 9 days (about 125 miles each day)... and up a lot of easily avoidable hills in search of better scenery!!! Oh and we will be camping to improve team spirit. I won't be keeping up with him but I hope to finish / survive."

To show your support please visit justgiving.com/MarkFabianPiedPiper or justgiving.com/David-Smart672

Golf Day Success

The Dave Roberts Memorial Charity Golf Day on 26th March raised over £2,800, which was split between The Pied Piper Appeal and the Great Oaks Hospice.

The weather held off for a dry and blustery day out on the course, but with smiles all around it was a fantastic success, with team and individual winners all receiving trophies.

Walkathon Heroes Celebrate Mini Bus Arrival

On 24th February The Pied Piper Appeal and The Milestone School celebrated the arrival of the new mini bus specially adapted to take wheelchairs which has been donated thank to the fundraising efforts of everyone who took part in the charity's Walkathon 2009 last June.

The Walkathon raised over £25,000 towards the cost of the mini bus. Walkers from around the County, including staff and parents from The Milestone School itself, took up the challenge to walk part of or the entire 25mile route around the outskirts of Gloucester on Sunday 7th June 2009.

The Pied Piper Appeal Chairman, Mr Roger Head, added "This is a superb term effort in raising the funds to purchase the mini bus. It is a great result with huge benefits to the children at Milestone School who are transported in wheelchairs. This vehicle will enable them to enjoy trips out of school with their fellow pupils."

Phil Vickery wins £5,000 on Mr & Mrs

Rugby star, and Vice Patron of the charity, Phil Vickery won £5,000 for us on All Star Mr & Mrs which was shown on TV during February.

Phil managed to get most of his questions correct in round one, but his wife Kate got a couple of questions about Phil wrong including which Country Phil played again in his first game for England.

Roger Head, Appeal Chairman said "We were delighted that Phil and Kate won All Star Mr & Mrs. The show was good fun and the prize money will be much appreciated. Phil is always a fantastic supporter of the charity."

Wacky Race Night swells the coffers

An alternative to the Cheltenham races, held at the Gloucester Yacht Club in the Docks helped raise over £300. It was a great night, with lots of laughs and betting on all sorts of races including racing sheep.

Thank you to the Gloucester Yacht Club for hosting this fun filled evening.

Star Donation for The Pied Piper Appeal

During 2009 local radio station Star 107.5 FM have worked tirelessly to help raise over £15,000 for The Pied Piper Appeal and in particular for the £20,000 project at the Bettridge School in Cheltenham.

The Bettridge School has just completed their re-build and are looking forward to getting installed the new sensory equipment which The Pied Piper Appeal pledged to fund.

Star 107.5FM have fundraised throughout 2009 with a quiz night, encouraging their listeners to raise £107.50, organising a sports auction and of course their Christmas auction which raised a magnificent £11,000 in one day on Sunday 6th December.

Everyone at Star 107.5 FM and The Pied Piper Appeal wish to thank all of the local companies, organisations and of course listeners who have supported this project and we look forward to visiting the sensory room when the equipment is installed.