Legacies for Charities

Would you rather give money to a charity than the Government?

Gift2%

An e-mail arrived recently explaining a new idea created by Keith Douglas who had been involved in a very serious road accident last year which nearly cost him his life. Keith has set up a scheme called Gift2% which he is implementing as a Will Writer with 20 years experience. It is a very simple scheme costing nothing to the person making their will, but offering that person the chance to make a huge difference to the future of their favourite charity by giving a 2% legacy in their will. Keith has a fixed price charge for writing wills which can be found on the website; out of this fee he will donate £50 to the chosen charity, which when Gift Aid is added can amount to £64. In addition the very big attraction is that Inheritance Tax is avoided on the amount bequeathed to the charity which is an advantage to your beneficiaries. We are trying to spread the word to all our contacts so that charities benefit in the future from such generous legacies. Please spread the word for us; details can be found on www.countywills.co.uk and www.gift2percent.co.uk – Keith is very willing to come and talk about the scheme to groups or individuals.

 Of course, you can choose your favourite charity but we would be delighted if you decide to choose SKIDZ.

Gift 2% leaflet

SKIDZ Students successes

 SKIDZ – The Wycombe Motor Project charity is delighted and proud to announce another set of outstanding results. The students have been attending courses for the past 2 years completing the ABC Level 1 Course in Motor Vehicle Studies. In September 2008 83 students started; 73 (88%) completed – of these 100% achieved this qualification. This exceptional success is more significant when we know that at least 30% of these young people have learning difficulties. Students come from 10 local secondary schools and some from The Wycombe Grange.

 We have two young people Josh and George, who have excelled. They both requested a transfer onto the Diploma Course and worked so hard that both have achieved this prestigious grade – the very first SKIDZ students to reach this level of achievement. Staff at SKIDZ are extremely proud of these two young people and wish them well in their future careers.

 The young people have developed skills and understanding of the maintenance aspects of the motor trade, including Health and Safety. Some modules are classroom based whilst others are hands-on practical skills in the workshop at the High Wycombe based charity. For many young people this course provides a spring-board leading to a career in the motor trade, enabling them to move into further education at college, an apprenticeship, or directly into employment.

DHL UK Foundation Community Heroes Award 2010

The DHL team win an award for their help for SKIDZ

The team of employees from DHL who have been working alongside SKIDZ for the past year have won an award and well-deserved recognition. At a reception in Daventry last Friday the group were rewarded for their hard work winning the Collaboration award at the DHL UK Foundation Community Heroes Awards 2010 and SKIDZ the charity they have helped, received a cheque for £600.

The partnership has proved very beneficial to all concerned in many different ways. Initially contact was made to provide an opportunity for members of DHL staff to work on a project in the community to develop and demonstrate their leadership skills to enhance their promotional opportunities within the company. The group had to work out a theme, raise sufficient funds to cover the cost of it, and then complete the task. The theme here was to completely refurbish the rest area used by the young people. This they achieved with great success ……. and lots more! They made contact with local organisations and companies who donated goods to SKIDZ to assist with the learning experience for young people. The remainder of the money they had raised was donated to SKIDZ towards the Building Appeal. The DHL UK Foundation also made a significant donation to the appeal through their Match It! programme which was applied to by the volunteers to match their time and fundraising efforts for SKIDZ. Gifts in kind have also been gratefully received by SKIDZ.

Thank you to all those concerned who have helped to make this such a successful partnership

MERCEDES GP PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM DONATE CAPS SIGNED BY ROSS BRAWN TO SKIDZ

Would you like to own one of these original team caps personally signed by Ross Brawn – and help SKIDZ at the same time?

These caps have been kindly donated by MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team to SKIDZ, one of their official Team Charities. 

You can bid to own one of these unique and stylish items by visiting the SKIDZ section of eBay. It is the genuine silver MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team cap and will be a true collector’s item. Each one comes with a Letter of Authenticity.

Please follow this link to place your bid :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MercedesGP-PETRONAS-F1-cap-signed-Ross-Brawn-/110541873274?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Sports_Memorabilia_ET&hash=item19bccf207a

All proceeds of the sale will go to the SKIDZ charity to help our fundraising appeal.

George – Work Experience Placement April 2010

George was fortunate to meet Ross Brawn on a visit with SKIDZ to MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team at Brackley, and Ross very generously offered him a week-long placement in the factory; this was arranged for the last week in April. George was extremely lucky to be placed in the Car Build Department where the two cars were returning from China after the Grand Prix event the week before.

The hours of work were 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch. Due to the nature of the business, George had to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and abide by all the Company’s Policies and Procedures, including Health & Safety. 

On arrival George was given an overall and shown around the factory. He spent the week working with a team of 10 mechanics to dismantle the cars and clean them thoroughly. He helped to spray both and also worked on melting the moulding that protects the front of the cars when on the track. He helped clean all the screws which were rusty after racing in the wet conditions in China.

Clearly George has had a wonderful experience and was made to feel very welcome by the staff at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. He had an opportunity to meet Nico Rosberg and Ross and came away with signed caps. The team have asked if he would be happy to return if there is more work for him to do as they were impressed by his work ethic and ability. George also commented on the fantastic full English Breakfasts and wonderful lunches in the staff restaurant.

The week would not have been possible without the full co-operation of Ross Brawn and the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS staff who helped to make it all possible so our sincere thanks to everyone for the effort they put in to make this a very special experience for George. In addition a very big thank you to George’s Grandfather – Mr Jim Franklin, who very kindly ferried George on his daily expedition to and from Brackley – a trip of 56 miles each way.

Today we have heard from MERCEDES GP PETRONAS – “It was a pleasure to have George with us for a week and great way to start our relationship with SKIDZ.   As George has good mechanical ability he was able to fit into the F1 team environment straight away and contribute positively to the team.  Our mechanics enjoyed showing George the ropes and all of them became teachers and mentors for a week, which was interesting to watch.  Hopefully this experience will help George pursue his dream of becoming an F1 mechanic and everyone here at MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team wish him all the best.”  Peter Hodgkinson – Build Operations Manager.

 Paddy Hopkirk Donates Book Sales to SKIDZ

 SKIDZ Patron Paddy Hopkirk is generously donating the sales of his recent book to SKIDZ. If you would like to receive a signed, personalised copy then please send a cheque to value of £33.50 to include P&P made out to SKIDZ Building Appeal to:

SKIDZ – The Wycombe Motor Project

Unit C, Commercial Court

Leigh Street

High Wycombe,  HP11 2RH

 Paddy is helping us to raise sufficient money to purchase our own building so that we can expand our provision of opportunities for young people in the area and ensure a secure future for the charity.

 Books will be on sale at several venues throughout the next few months including through our web pages.

 Staff and students at SKIDZ have been working on Paddy’s very first car that he used as a young teenager when he was learning to drive. It is a fascinating story of how it came back into his possession after many years; please read on to the next page to find out more. This and other delightful details can be found in Paddy’s book.

   www.skidz.org.uk

The Story of Paddy Hopkirk’s First Car

You may wonder why Paddy Hopkirk, former champion Rally Driver is pictured here with Ross Brawn of Brawn GP Formula One is sitting squashed in this tiny vintage car. Well it it is a long story. Paddy, Ross and Mike Clare pictured with them, have agreed to become patrons of SKIDZ – The Wycombe Motor Project Appeal Fund; they were pictured at the launch. The vehicle is the very car that Paddy learnt to drive at the tender age of 9 years old.

The Harding

This very special little car is a Harding circa 1922 and was given to Paddy by his neighbour in Belfast who was the local priest. Paddy very quickly learned to drive it but was aware of the limited and primitive braking capacity – just a hand-brake! He successfully installed a rear brake that was operated by a foot pedal and so began his learning curve for operating more realistic car controls. Paddy’s skills for fast cornering were probably learned in this car.

 For some years the car remained in Paddy’s possession but stored away once he went on to bigger and better cars. It was eventually given away and Paddy lost track of it – but never forgot it. Many years later Paddy mentioned it during a BBC interview. This led to the latest owner contacting Paddy who went to visit and found his beloved car in a very dilapidated state but complete with number plate. He bought it back again and once more stored it in his own garage.

 The Resurection of the Harding

Paddy has supported SKIDZ for many years and one day during conversation floated the idea of SKIDZ staff and young people working on the Harding to restore it. After hours of patient work it has come out shining and looking much as it did years ago when Paddy first owned it. Tyres are still a problem as of course, these sizes are not made any longer. The bodywork has been restored to it’s original colour grey. The seat back is wooden and has been replaced with new wood that had either rotted or become damaged. The seat is a well-used black leather cushion with no extra padding for comfort; it would have been a fairly bumpy and rough ride even when new. It seems fitting that it was used as a focal point for the launch of the SKIDZ Appeal with two sensational people linked intrinsically to Motor Racing sitting alongside each other in this ancient vehicle.

 www.skidz.org.uk

Reading Half Marathon

See the Skidz group meeting with Ross Brawn and Mercedes GP Petronas on BBC Sport – Select the image below to view the video.

SKIDZ BECOMES OFFICIAL TEAM CHARITY OF MERCEDES GP PETRONAS

 Brackley, 2 March 2010

 The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team is pleased to confirm that the SKIDZ Motor Projects charity has become one of the team’s two official charities. SKIDZ joins Helen & Douglas House in Oxford, providers of hospice care for terminally ill children and young adults, who have been supported by the team since 2006.

 The SKIDZ Motor Projects charity provides opportunities for disadvantaged young people to gain vocational motor trade skills and access to courses in motor engineering in an adult work-style environment, providing qualifications as well as experience of the world of work.

 Currently based in rented premises, SKIDZ aims to raise almost £1million to purchase a self-contained property for the Wycombe Motor Project. In the new premises, SKIDZ will be able to offer an improved service to the area’s youngsters plus a much wider range of opportunities and better facilities. The charity will become more financially viable, have security of tenure and be able to invest in a stronger future.

 Team Principal Ross Brawn has been a Patron of the Wycombe Motor Project since June 2009 joining the fellow Patrons of SKIDZ, the Earl Howe, former rally driver Paddy Hopkirk and Mike Clare, founder of Dreams.

 Ross commented: “MERCEDES GP PETRONAS are delighted to be supporting the SKIDZ Motor Projects charity and to announce that SKIDZ has joined Helen & Douglas House as our two official team charities. Having started my career in Formula One as a machinist and mechanic back in the 1970s, I am a passionate supporter of providing opportunities for young people to learn practical motor trade skills and have the opportunity to develop a passion for motorsport. Practical experience is key to getting the best possible grounding in the motor trade and this is where SKIDZ really makes a difference to the future prospects for the young people involved.”

 David Lister, SKIDZ Chair of Trustees, said: “We are delighted that the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team has agreed to support SKIDZ as one of their official team charities. Having reached our tenth anniversary, the trustees of SKIDZ are working hard to ensure the future growth of the project to better fulfill the needs of the young people that we work with and we need committed partners to assist us with that aim. Practical courses in a work environment are a very powerful tool to encourage the young people that we work with, and the involvement of the current Formula One World Champions, will only serve to increase that motivation and enthusiasm.”

 For further information on SKIDZ Motor Projects, please visit www.skidz.org.uk

Media Contact:

 Nicola Armstrong: Tel. +44 1280 844096, E: narmstrong@mercedes-gp.com

 Further information about MERCEDES GP PETRONAS is available on our media website: www.mercedes-gp.com/media

Gear up for a lesson in motoring in Hillingdon

 The eagerly awaited SKIDZ Hillingdon road user education project is opening in Hillingdon yesterday (Wednesday 17^th February 2010), bringing together three years of hard work to launch an exciting motor vehicle project that will enable hundreds of young people across the borough to develop their passion for motor vehicle maintenance and safer road usage as drivers, riders and pedestrians,

 This SKIDZ project will be based at West Drayton Young People’s Centre, a welcome addition to the successful existing motor project that already runs in High Wycombe.

 In 2008, the SKIDZ Motor Project was approached by Porsche Cars (Great Britain) Ltd with the offer of funding to develop their workshops and they chose to do this in Hillingdon. 

 Steve Godfrey, Director of the SKIDZ Motor Project said:

“We are passionate about teaching young people about motor vehicle maintenance and when Porsche approached us with some generous funding, Hillingdon was the obvious choice to develop the SKIDZ project.  We are extremely grateful for the help in setting this up and very excited to be able to open such a fantastic workshop for these young people to learn in.”

 The SKIDZ Hillingdon Project in West Drayton has been undertaken by a number of partners made up of Hillingdon Training Ltd, Hillingdon Council, Metropolitan Police, and Groundwork Thames Valley, who have worked together for the last three years to raise the funding to make the dream of a motor vehicle project a reality. When Hillingdon Community Trust agreed to commit a grant of £110,000 to SKIDZ Hillingdon, the project had sufficient funding to be launched.

 Councillor Simmonds, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, London Borough of Hillingdon said:

“In Hillingdon we are dedicated to offering the best opportunities we can to young people and workshops such as SKIDZ are a great addition to the existing schemes we currently have on offer in Hillingdon.  The hard work and dedication put in by all of the partners will mean that young people from across the borough will have a brand new, fantastic facility in which to learn and develop important lifelong skills.”

 With ever growing interest in the local area, more than 120 students are expected to enrol in the new Hillingdon road user education project this year.  The courses give young people age 13 to 19 a chance to gain vocational skills in motor mechanics in an adult work-style environment so that they have a better chance of finding future employment.  For example, in the Primary Skills workshop, students will be able to gain certificated in Basic Car Maintenance and Health and Safety by learning how to service engines, check brakes, change wheels and balance tyres as well as learning about health and safety in the workplace and safe driving on the road.