Sponsorships

HEARTS OF GOLD

Over the years the Park Lane Group has become known as a generous supporter of local charities and good causes.

The Directors and staff are frequently involved in fund raising events such as "Race for Life" for cancer research and parachute jumping for the Tsunami appeal.

In sport they have supplied the kit to various local football teams, as well as supporting many future young stars in the world of motor racing, motor cross and athletics.

In addition to financial aid for many good causes, The Park Lane Group have refurbished playgrounds for disabled children and contributed towards the building of a new pavillion for the Catsfield Football Club.

Recently they have sponsored, amongst other things, the Hastings Achievers Awards and the Young Entertainers Charity Gala.

"It is about putting something back into our local community which has always been important to us" said Managing Director Russell Beswick.

The following articles are a selected sample of sponsorship events undertaken by the staff at The Park Lane Group.

The Park Lane Group are always on the look out for new challenges.

AMAZING £5000 PARK LANE GIVE-AWAY

Each week during the eight week promotion The Park Lane Group selected a charity to benefit from a share of the £5,000 they gave away.

Donations between £50 and £500 were made each week to causes selected by the panel from The Park Lane Group.

To enter all that was needed was to write and tell The Park Lane Group in no more than 100 words why you wanted a slice of this amazing giveaway. Requests could be for absolutely anything just so long as it was for a good cause or to help someone.

The promotion was a huge success, more than 200 requests were received and many local people and charities received a donation.

Read the story in the Bexhill Observer

Date: 27 May 2008

ST MICHAEL'S HOSPICE APPEAL

St Michael's Hospice Appeal, East Sussex

Park Lane made a donation to St. Michael's Hospice in memory of two people who died there. Gamekeeper Buster Ansell, his partner Liz and son Michael raised money as a tribute to fellow gamekeeper Michael Hollands who was cared for at the hospice in his last days. On hearing about their fundraising, developer Russell Beswick of The Park Lane Group followed suit. "I am pleased to be able to help such a worthy cause" he said. "I had reason to visit St. Michael's Hospice recently when a past member of staff had been admitted. She has now sadly passed away and I would like our donation of £1,600 to be given in memory of Doreen Ashton, who will be sadly missed". Both St. Michael's Hospice and The Park Lane Group are celebrating their 21st Anniversary this year.

Date: 20 February 2008

CHRISTMAS TREE APPEAL

The 73A Centre in Bexhill put out an appeal on Arrow FM for someone to buy them a Christmas Tree. The Park Lane Group not only donated the tree but the lights and decorations as well. The 73A Day Centre is a Bexhill based charity which helps adults and children with learning difficulties.

The picture shows Sue McGreevy, Park Lane’s Group Finance Director, with some of the centre staff and clients. Read the article in the Observer.

Date: 17 January 2008

A LAPTOP FOR BECKY

When we learnt that Becky, a five year old from Eastbourne with spina bifida, was having difficulties at school because she could not reach a computer from her wheelchair without the help of a teaching assistant, it was decided to buy her a laptop with the memory to take the schools software.

This would not only enable Becky to be fully engaged in lessons at school but also she could take it with her when she has to stay in hospital so that she does not fall behind with her school work. Becky has so much grit and determination and really tries her best to succeed at everything she does so we felt she should be encouraged.

She had no idea why she was brought to the Park Lane Group’s offices and was absolutely delighted when she was presented with her pink laptop by Russell. Read the article in the Hastings and St Leonards Observer.

Becky receives a laptop from Park Lane Group Director, Russell Beswick.

Date: 17 January 2008

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Park Lane received a letter from the St. John’s Tuesday Group askingfor a donation to take 100 children to see Sleeping Beauty at the WhiteRock Theatre on January 3rd.

We decided to fund the whole outing at a cost of £770 and the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all the children who attended. The photo shows Tricia Stubbs presenting the cheque for £770 to one of the assistants at the centre.

Date: 3 January 2008

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS PROJECT

Surviving Christmas project endeavours to provide food and company for those who find Christmas a time of hardship and loneliness.

The 3 day event operates on December 25th, 26th and 27th at the YMCA Sports Centre in St Paul's Road, St Leonards. For visitors to the centre, they provide Xmas Lunch, shelter, company, a change of clothes, hot showers and a free haircut.

They also distribute hampers and toys to families and individuals who find this time of year a financial struggle. With this in mind the Park Lane Group donated a large quantity of fluffy toys to be distributed to needy children.

Date: 27 December 2007

HASTINGS ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2007

Park Lane Group sponsored the Best Community Group at the Hastings Achievers Awards 2007 which was held at the The Hastings Centre on 9th October.

The winners of this category was Gizmo the lively performing and creative arts group which does so much to keep young people entertained. The key aims of the Hastings Achievers Awards is to raise money for local good causes and this year they hope to raise in excess of £11k.

Date: 9 October 2007

LATEST NEWS FROM CATSFIELD FC

Catsfield FC finished second in Division 3 of the East Sussex Football League this year, only one point behind the winners, Little Common. They are therefore promoted to Division 2, which is a fantastic achievement for a small village team. They also now have a superb new pavilion which the team can use for games next season. The Club is extremely grateful to The Park Lane Group for the ongoing sponsorship of Catsfield Football Club and for the generous support of the Catsfield Pavilion.

Catsfield FC

Date: 15 June 2007

HASTINGS HALF MARATHON & THE CATSFIELD PAVILION

For the last five years, Scott Lavocah has run in the Hastings Half Marathon raising money for St Michael’s Hospice and the new Pavilion in Catsfield. The Park Lane Group has sponsored Scott for all five marathons and has also made a separate donation to the Catsfield Pavilion Fund. In 2005 Scott achieved a personal best, completing the course in 1 hour 52 minutes and 14 seconds, coming 1374th out of 3543. Last year year he was 4 minutes off his best due to a lack of training. This year he was two minutes off his personal best, completing the course in 1 hour 59 minutes and 6 seconds and coming 1927th out of 3878, raising £458 for St Michaels Hospice.

Since 2003 he has raised £1,627.50 for the Hospice and £634.45 towards the pavilion. A grand total of £2,261.95.

Date: 19 February 2007

LEEDS CASTLE - 10K Race in aid of Cancer Research

After the success of Park Lane's previous year's 5K "Race for Life" the company wanted to take up another running challenge. They found out that Cancer Research were holding a series of running events across the country and entered the Leeds Castle one.

The team, consisting of Jackie and Neil Thompson, Sue McGreevy, Ange Garner, Scott Baker, Russell and Sharon Beswick, were at various stages of fitness and a 10k race represented a huge challenge for them. In the morning of the run the weather was lovely. The first 5K was steep and tortuous but every member of the team coped brilliantly. The course was wonderful, the views magnificent, the atmosphere electric. Scott finished first in 57 minutes. Russell and Sharon followed, then Jackie and Neil, Sue and Ange. A great effort, a great day and a total of £2000 raised!

Date: 10 February 2007

PARK LANE SUPPORT EUROPEAN CHALLENGE

In 2006 a team of 8 guys set off from St Leonards on Sea for a non-stop endurance driving challenge covering 6000 miles through Europe - in one week! Their aim - to raise money towards a new fully equipped ward for St Michael's Hospice, helping to increase their intake and care of an ever growing number of patients. The target was £20,000 with the Park Lane Group donating £1000 making them a premiere sponsor. In return, the team made sure that the Park Lane name was in evidence from Sweden to Russia.

Date: 10 February 2007

MOTOCROSS CHRIS

A young champion in the world of Motocross is Chris Chapman. Sponsored by the Park Lane Group, 12 year old Chris has ridden his bike into the top ten at National Level, and at local level he’s virtually unbeatable! His bike has phenomenal power and can reach a speed of 87mph in just 4 seconds.

Date: 6 May 2006

THE FLYING COWARDS JUMP FOR CASH!

Everyone at Park Lane was shocked by the devastation caused by the Asian tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. The Park Lane Group decided to attempt a sponsored parachute jump to help raise funds together with Claremont School. It was an interesting idea as Managing Director, Russell Beswick, has a fear of heights and Scott Baker, dreads flying. It meant they were both facing their greatest nightmares, so as a marketing ploy to gain maximum sponsorship they called themselves ‘The Flying Cowards’. A third coward was needed to make up the team who, because of weight restrictions, had to be pretty light. Mark Beaumont, Principal and owner of the Claremont School, put his daughter Emma forward and ‘The Flying Cowards’ were ready, if not a little apprehensive!

It was decided the monies raised would go towards the total Claremont pot to fund the re-build project of a school that was completely demolished in Phuket.

The Flying Cowards completed a full day’s intensive training with theory and practical tasks followed by a written test. After several abortive attempts, the weather conditions were perfect on 19th April and the jump finally took place. They will never forget this life changing experience.

A total of £6,000 was raised from Park Lane for which they thank everyone who pledged a donation. The grand total, including all the other funds raised through events at the school, topped £20,000 for the construction of the school in Phuket.

Date: 6 February 2005