Author Archives: nicky

Ultra Iron Man Challenge for Iron Man Glen

Glen Bevan, a personal trainer at Winners 2000 Gym, is undertaking another unbelievable challenge to raise funds for Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN). Glen had planned to do the London Marathon and when he didn’t get a place a friend suggested the Milton Keynes Marathon instead. While that seemed like a good idea, to Glen, it simply wasn’t hard enough. So, then he thought he’d cycle there and back. After that, adding a swim was apparently the obvious next step. Then, if you are going to swim you may as well kayak a bit as well. So, Glen’s challenge is actually to cycle 500 miles, swim 1 mile, kayak 2 miles and run a marathon. Oh, and then he’s turning 40!

Glen says “I was really disappointed not to be able to do the London Marathon then this idea came to me which makes the whole challenge an Ultra Iron Man which is just my kind of challenge.” It all happens in May so Glen is now currently in the midst of a pretty brutal training regime which means he is burning up to 7500 calories a day which in turn means he is eating an awful lot of food. Glen says of his training “I have a professional swim coach, Pete Wilby, and a professional cycle coach, Ian Trevis and both have been hugely influential.” He added “Although this is a huge challenge I’m very excited about it and it’s great to be raising money for THHN. They are my chosen charity and I’m very passionate about the work that they do so thinking of how the money raised will help them really helps drive me.”

Glen and his friend, Ash

THHN provides free, fun-filled holidays for families who have seriously ill children, families who are bereaved, having lost a child or parent, and families who have a terminally ill parent. Luke Tillen, Founder and Chairman of THHN said “Glen is an absolute star. He supports us in so many ways and puts himself through incredible agonies all to raise money for us. Having someone as passionate and inspirational as Glen on our team gives everyone a boost. He really is an amazing man with a heart of gold.”

Glen could not do this challenge without huge help from a host of sponsors including Veritas Event Solutions, Charles Blake Associates, AT Electrical, Winners 2000 and Timber Frame South West. Another vital sponsor is Craig Fish of Fish Bikes who has given Glen a brand new bike for this challenge in return for a bit of personal training from Glen. It’s win win.

As well as the event itself Glen is also having a fun, fundraising evening at Pier Point in Torquay on Thursday 2 April. Tickets cost just £10 and include food, some great music and there will be an amazing raffle and auction. Tickets are available either from Glen at the gym, the THHN Memory Makers Shop in St Marychurch Precinct or by popping in to Pier Point.

Alternatively, if you are inspired by Glen’s story and would like to sponsor him please visit www.justgiving.com/Glen-Bevan2

Sparkling Variety Show raises over £3000 for THHN

Saturday 28 February saw the Rainbow Hotel in Torquay packed with over 200 people enjoying a fabulous Variety Show all in aid of Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN). The event was organised by Bob Vaughan, a THHN volunteer and there was an incredible line-up of talent for the audience to enjoy and enjoy it they most certainly did.

Organiser Bob Vaughan and host and compere Tank Sherman – picture taken by Ree de Lacey

Acts included Keedie, fresh from her appearance on “The Voice”, Shaun Perry, Carolyn May, Mike Samuels, Abba tribute band “Take a Chance on Us”, Yours in Harmony, Supreme Dream, Becky Bennett, Stewart Masters and Tank Sherman. Bob said “I was so thrilled with the line-up that we had to entertain the masses. We had some fantastic acts from all around the country and I just knew it was going to be a great night. Particular thanks must go to the fabulous Tank Sherman who helped me organise the event and then hosted and compered the whole thing. With ticket sales and our amazing raffle and auction we raised £3275 which I am absolutely delighted about.” The evening was sponsored by the Rainbow Hotel who gave Bob the Club Rainbow Room free of change for the evening and Jamie Sinclair of What’s On Magazine. Bob said “Jamie was fantastic. Not only did he give the event free advertising in What’s On Magazine but he also supplied the flyers and posters and gave a brilliant prize for us to use on the evening. Thanks must also go to Mike Kozciban who provided the light and sound free of charge.”

“Take a Chance on Us” – picture taken by Ree de Lacey

Other local businesses that supplied prizes included the Babbacombe Inn, Becky Bettesworth, Dot’s Pantry, Haddon Galleries and Hanbury’s Famous Fish & Chips. Bob said “I’ve had so much support from friends, the local community and businesses it’s been overwhelming. I’m a huge supporter of THHN and the vital work that it does giving holidays to families having a truly difficult time and the way that others have stepped up to help our Variety Show raise such a great sum of money has been fantastic. Being part of Team THHN is a real honour. It is made up of a terrific group of people, many of whom gave up their time yet again to help out on Saturday.”

Fun at the Auction – picture taken by Ree de Lacey

Also at the Show on Saturday was Luke Tillen, founder and Chairman of THHN. Luke said “Bob is a real star. He’s a tireless volunteer, always ready to help out and do whatever he can. He started planning this back in August last year and put so much work into making it the success that it was. He’s pure gold and we are very lucky to have him on our team.”

For more information about THHN, its work, how to volunteer or help please visit the website www.thhn.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

Sizzling Fundraising for Rowcroft at the Babbacombe Inn

Wednesday 4 February was a chilly night but there was plenty of warm spirit at the Babbacombe Inn where a fabulous evening was in full swing raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice. The event was organised by Rowcroft fundraisers Nigel and Elizabeth Timbrell who packed out the Restaurant with over 100 people all enjoying a special 2-course menu featuring the famous Babbacombe Inn Sizzlers.

Nigel said “We had a really wonderful evening. We raised an incredible £833.05 and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along and especially to Martyn Strange and his team at the Babbacombe Inn who pulled out all the stops to make this a fantastic fundraising event. It was a lovely way to spend a very cold winter’s evening and we would also like to thank all of the companies that supported us, Friends and non-members and hope to see them again soon. Nigel added “We were also presented with a cheque for £3000 by Hamish Turner, a representative from the Eric’s Sparks Trust. So, all in all, it really was an excellent evening.”

Martyn said “The Rowcroft fundraising evening is always a popular one and with over 100 people coming this year it really was a full house in our Restaurant. We’re always happy to help Rowcroft activities where we can and Nigel and Elizabeth do a great job of organising this event. I’m delighted that they raised such a great amount of money and no doubt we’ll do it all again next year again!”

The Babbacombe Inn entertainment line-up is always full and varied and this year sees the introduction of two “Lunch and Laughter” events. Book in for either Wednesday 3 April or Wednesday 22 March and enjoy a scrumptious 3-course meal in the Babbacombe Inn Restaurant followed by an afternoon of fabulous music and laughs with the superb Steve Laister in the Lounge. All for just £19.95 per person. Call 01803 316200 to book.

Meanwhile Nigel and Elizabeth are also hard at work planning their next event which is a table top sale on Thursday 26 March in the Union Square Shopping Centre in Torquay. There will be all sorts of great things to buy and this will also be the place to find out about all the other amazing charity day trips the couple have planned which include a coach trip to Otterton Mill and Burrow Farm and Gardens in April, an evening picnic cruise by steam railway, ferry and paddle steamer in July and a trip to Seaton Tram and the Donkey Sanctuary in September. More on these and other Rowcroft events can be found at http://www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/supporting-rowcroft/events/

Half Marathon Challenge for Local Schools

To serious runners a half marathon does not sound too much like hard work. To everyone else it sounds like a Herculean task. So, how about a half marathon in bite-sized pieces done over 12 weeks? Beginning to sound a bit more manageable?

Well, that’s just what the THHN Half Marathon Schools Challenge is all about. The idea is that local schools encourage the children to run 1 mile each week over 12 weeks and then join the crowds on Paignton Green on Sunday, 28 June at the Torbay Half Marathon and run their final mile in front of hundreds of spectators using part of the traffic-free Torbay Half Marathon course.

THHN is the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network. THHN provides free, fun-filled holidays for families who have seriously ill children, families who are bereaved, having lost a child or parent, and families who have a terminally ill parent. THHN Fundraising Manager Brian Lewis said “This is a great way for children to participate in the Half Marathon and enjoy the atmosphere of the race, and will bring much excitement as they cross the finish line, having completed 13 miles in total. We are very grateful to the organisers of the Torbay Half Marathon for giving us the opportunity to put on the Schools Challenge at this popular event, as well as Angels Tea Rooms for their sponsorship.”

Each child taking part will receive a medal and a THHN t-shirt. Not only is the idea a great way to get children interested in running but if the children would like to raise sponsorship for THHN while taking part, then that would be even better. The school whose children raise the most money will win £100 of book vouchers.

Each school will receive a map of the Torbay Half Marathon route so the children can mark of a section of the route after they have completed that week’s mile. For a bit of extra inspiration, each school can also receive a visit from Memory Maker Man, the THHN mascot, and THHN runners who will run one mile with the children at their school and tell them all about the charity and what they do.

Schools have until March 27th to sign up for this event and anyone who wants to find out more can visit www.thhn.co.uk/school or email [email protected]

Hanbury’s Famous Fish and Chips for TV’s Mark Jenkins

David Hanbury and the staff at Hanbury’s were only too pleased to welcome Mark Jenkins, the star of Channel 4 programme “The Hotel” recently. Mark Jenkins and his mum were visiting the Babbacombe fish and chip restaurant as it is her favourite restaurant.

Mark and his mum enjoyed the usual Hanbury’s award-winning fish and chips and great service before Mark posed with some of the staff for a photo.

David Hanbury said “Mark and his mother have visited us a number of times and we were delighted to see them.” He added “It was lovely to get a photo with Mark after their meal, especially for one of our members of staff, Charlotte Brierly, who is particularly a huge fan.”

Channel 4’s film crew were also in tow, filming the visit, but if you want to know if the trip to Hanbury’s made the final cut you’ll have to make sure you watch the last episode which will be screened on Sunday 15 February. In the meantime, you may see Mark when you’re next in Hanbury’s as he says it’s the only place he’ll eat fish.