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View our latest edition of Let’s Talk, which includes the following hot topics below

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A bereaved mum is swapping bubbly for bubbles and planning a poignant hen party with a difference.

Rather than hitting the town, Deborah Goddard is rallying friends and family and taking part in East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (EACH) Norwich Bubble Rush.

She wants to raise funds for the charity as it supported her following the death of her baby daughter in April 2022.

Jovie was just a year and 11 days old and, afterwards, Deborah and her family spent time making memories at The Nook.

Now she wants to give something back and is looking forward to a day of a foam-filled fundraising on 16^th July.

“There are 18 of us in the team and we’re all looking forward to it,” said photographer Deborah, who is marrying Jovie’s dad, fiancé Chris, on 19^th August.

“My Matron of Honour has been the main organiser and she knew I didn’t want a traditional hen party.

“I didn’t want to go out – that’s just not me – but this seemed like a fun, meaningful way to say thank you and show support.

“As soon as I saw the advert, I knew it was what I wanted to do.

“EACH has become a massive part of our lives and we’re happy to do whatever we can to help.

“It feels like my daughter will be part of the celebrations and that’s very important to me. It’s like we’ll be together on the day.”

Jovie had a severe brain condition that was detected during pregnancy.

She defied the odds by living for over a year and after her death at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, she moved to The Nook.

Her family were able to create precious memories and spend time together.

“It was an incredibly tough time,” said Lowestoft-based Deborah.

“Jovie did amazingly and we feel blessed to have had a year together, because she wasn’t expected to live that long.

“EACH was there in the background when she was alive, in terms of helping with symptom management.

“Then, after she passed, we had the chance to spend some days at the hospice.

“It was still a shock, despite being expected, and gave us an opportunity to process everything that was going on.

“We felt looked after. My other daughter, Tallulla, was supported and got the attention she deserved and we had the chance to bath and dress Jovie.

“We made hand and footprint casts, creating precious memories that I’ll forever hold close to my heart.

“It wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, so I’ll always be grateful.”

Deborah and Tallulla, now 14, continue to receive bereavement support at The Nook.

They also attend events at the hospice with Jovie’s Dad and their other children, including Memory Days.

“It’s lovely having a place where Jovie will always be remembered,” added Deborah.

“It makes me feel that I’m not alone in my grief.”

To show your support and sponsor Deborah, click here.

A record number of participants – more than 2,000 – have signed up for this year’s Bubble Rush.

The event raised an incredible £43,500 last year but this summer’s version has a new home as it taking place at the Norwich Showground.

There will be food stalls and face glitter painting.

The course once again features four bubble stations along a 2.5km route.

Participants can do one lap or double their enjoyment by completing the circuit twice.

Each bubble station has a cannon which pumps out coloured foam to create a four-foot deep bubble bath.

Click here for more details of EACH’s fun-filled 2023 Events calendar.

Adventurous colleagues were left on a high after raising nearly £4,700 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Staff from Pentaco Construction took on the Three Peaks Challenge, which involves climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales – Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon respectively – within 24 hours.

Between them they tackled 23 miles, ascending 3,064 metres, and raised £4,665.

Proud representatives handed over a cheque to EACH Corporate Fundraising Manager Caroline Allen during a recent visit to The Nook.

“We’ve been overwhelmed at the support from our supply chain – not only in donating but also our headline sponsors, Newnham Structures, Gowing & Hunt and LNS Interiors,” said Pentaco Social Value and Engagement Manager Louise Reeve.

“Without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.

“We actually reduced our initial target from £5,000 to £3,000 when a few of the team dropped out, nervous of the mission ahead. However, we ended up getting close to the original amount.

“Because the challenge is so well known and popular, people seemed happy to donate as they know it’s such a significant task and huge commitment.”

Contracts Manager Chris Clow added: “As a team, we found it extremely difficult and the majority commented on how they’d underestimated the terrain and scrambling that was required – not to mention the snow.

“Scafell proved the most challenging of the peaks but the scenery was overwhelming.

“One of our walkers, Jon Kent, decided to set his alarm for 4am to do his own six-mile hike before even starting the challenge!

“There were a few knee injuries along the way but, overall, all bar two completed all three peaks.”

Despite the scale of the challenge, the team stuck together and were on hand to offer words of motivation and encouragement.

“We had five walkers that were back down from Ben Nevis in a really impressive time,” added Louise.

“However, they decided they wanted to wait for the full team to come down before setting off for Scafell.

“The team motivation and support was great to see, with lots of encouraging hugs and those more capable sticking with others that were starting to struggle.

“No-one was left alone and the support crew were fully appreciated as the driving was a huge challenge in itself, especially with the lack of sleep.”

Pentaco Construction work across the East of England, with offices in Norwich and Cambridge.

The team’s Three Peaks Challenge took place from 26^th to 28^th May.

EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex.

It has three hospices – The Nook, in Framingham Earl, The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and at Milton, near Cambridge.

It’s widely considered that the US Marine Corps is one of the best examples of leadership in the world. Veteran Janet Polach chats to Mark and Becky about how best to leverage the skills of your team and avoid being a selfish leader.

They examine each step of Janet’s book, The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make, and delve into Janet’s ‘make it worse’ technique. After discussing the importance of people knowing their responsibilities and role, and the value in one-to-ones, they reflect on the impact of the transition between feedback frenzy in school, into the feedback desert that is the workplace.

GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode, email us at [email protected].

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You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here to watch the full interview 

Show notes

Contact Janet – [email protected]

LinkedIn

The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make – Janet Polach

Adam Grant 

Attitude of gratitude – Leadership & Life Chat

Olga Dies Dreaming – Xochitl Gonzalez

Listen here

Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk

© Larking Gowen LLP

Two Sixth Form pupils from Norwich School are sweetening up life in lockdown through the development of their own fudge business, The Sweet Kitchen.

Created by Lower Sixth pupils Olivia Holdcroft and Scarlett Udy, The Sweet Kitchen business was set up as part of the Young Chamber programme at the school and produces luxury, yet affordable fudge for the Norwich community.

The inspiration behind the project came from their parents’ creative backgrounds and a love of all things sweet. The duo completed a food hygiene course and trialled a number of recipes to get the perfect product. They also used social media to promote the business to the community.

In response to the latest outbreak and to keep spirits lifted, we are taking The Sweet Kitchen out of school and into the community by making local deliveries.

Glyn Manton, Business Enterprise teacher at the school said “At Norwich School we have approximately 80 pupils that have been engaged in our Young Chamber Enterprise schemes this year, where they form their own companies from scratch.  This year the ‘Sweet Kitchen’ has been very successful in terms of sales.  We are delighted that Olivia and Scarlett have taken the initiative to adapt their business model so it can continue to operate safely and successfully as a delivery service.”

You can find out more and order your fudge at https://www.thesweetkitchen.co.uk/

Soul Foundation runs a programme through which, in normal times, it distributes food equating to approximately 1,000 meals a week to people in significant need.

This food is sourced from supermarkets and others who have short-lifed stock to dispose of. Norwich City Council have asked the Foundation to be one of three food hubs for Norwich, to help meet the significantly increased need brought about by the current situation. This week we have distributed the equivalent of more than 12,000 meals and we aim to build this to 30,000 per week.

This scaling up has, inevitably, necessitated significant changes to the way in which we operate and we are having to source food through new channels. In some cases this means paying for it although at reduced prices.

We are keen, therefore, to identify other potential suppliers whether for free or heavily discounted. Specific current requirements are for potatoes, crisps, rice, sauces for pasta meals, ready-made meals and long-life milk but we would also like to hear of potential supplies of other foods and toiletries.

I can be contacted on 07836 525555 or at [email protected].

Regards,

Richard Nash

As a veteran combat helicopter pilot, with more that 20 years’ experience in the RAF, Sarah Furness speaks with a certain amount of authority on the subject of ‘uncertainty’, and how courage creates opportunity.

The uncertainty of what to do when your aircraft strikes a high-tension wire in flight is not a challenge most of us will experience, but there are lessons to be learnt in the way we face the unexpected in our day-to-day working lives.

Following up on the theme for the year of “Future Proofing Your Business”, at Larking Gowen’s Summer Business Breakfast, former Squadron Leader, Sarah, explained how her training and experience led her to understand that embracing uncertainty is an important step towards confidence and self-belief.

“It’s important to remember you can’t eradicate uncertainty, but you can start to use it. Do something that scares you, and you can train yourself to handle uncertainty. If you do that, you’ll start to build your self-belief,” she said, at the event at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, near Ipswich, this week.

Uncertainty often represents opportunity, and with self-belief you can take advantage of these opportunities.

She highlighted the importance for business leaders to create a culture of self-belief, saying this could only be done by allowing people to make mistakes in a supportive atmosphere. Leaders must show they are not afraid to admit their own mistakes and set the example by ‘going first’ and sharing their mistakes despite it feeling uncomfortable.

“Being good at what you do isn’t about being faultless. It’s about recognising your mistakes and growing from them. This takes courage, and like fear, courage is contagious,” she said.

After graduating from Cambridge University, Sarah joined the RAF in 2000 at the age of 21 with the ambition of becoming a jet fighter pilot, inspired she says, by the Tom Cruise film classic, Top Gun. Not quite making the grade, she opted for the next best thing, a combat helicopter pilot flying Pumas. Her career saw her experience tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and she has the accolade of being the first female helicopter pilot to fly an active special forces mission.

She left the RAF in 2021 to pursue her interests in mindfulness and wellbeing as a professional coach, and has written a bestselling book Fly Higher.

Speaking after the event, Larking Gowen Partner, Graham Mummery, said, “We’re extremely grateful to Sarah for such an interesting and inspiring presentation. We’ve had incredible feedback. Thanks to everyone who attended our Business Breakfast, and we look forward to seeing you at our Autumn event.”

You can find out more about Sarah’s work by visiting her website here.

A popular charity shop is celebrating the sweet taste of success and marking its fifth birthday with a cake sale.

The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) store in Poringland is hosting the event on Wednesday, 12^th July.

Staff and volunteers plan to celebrate with the community by organising a cake sale and raffle, from 10am to 2pm.

The shop is less than a mile from The Nook, in Framingham Earl, and has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2018.

Manager Maria Hall said: “I’ve been here since day one and feel pleased and proud of the way we’ve built things up.

“Our shop exceeded its target last year and we’re very thankful to everyone who’s played some part – not least our loyal volunteers and customers.

“I’m also very grateful to have such a brilliant deputy in Sharon Wright.

“It’s a great team and our shop is an important part of the community.

“That’s why we want to mark its fifth birthday in style and everyone is welcome to come along and join us. It should be fun.”

Maria was Deputy Manager at EACH’s Long Stratton shop before moving to Poringland.

Prior to that she had been volunteering for the charity since 2009.

“I feel a strong connection and love my job,” she said.

“It’s an amazing charity and the retail side of things is a vitally important way of raising funds.”

The Poringland shop is in Overtons Way and one of 19 across Norfolk.

For more information about volunteering there, pop in, email [email protected] or call 01603 984498.

Daredevil Susan Cox is taking a walk on the wild side to raise funds for charity.

The 69-year-old thrill-seeker has signed up for a wing walk to show her support for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Her adrenaline-filled challenge is taking place at Shuttleworth Aerodrome, in Bedfordshire, on Friday morning (7^th July) and she hopes to raise £5,000.

“It’s beginning to dawn on me, now the big day is getting closer,” said Susan, who lives in Woodton.

“I wanted to do something out of the ordinary and it occurred to me I don’t know anyone else who’s done a wing walk.

“I love flying, especially take-off, so thought why not?

“Originally I was thinking of doing something to mark my 70^th birthday.

“However, there’s no time like the present so thought I’d arrange something while it was fresh in my mind.

“I can’t say I’m nervous at the moment but I’m sure the butterflies will kick in when I wake up on Friday morning.

“I’ll probably think ‘what have I done?’ and my family and friends think I’m a complete lunatic!

“However, I’m the kind of person who likes stepping out of their comfort zone and I’m sure I’ll be raving about it afterwards.

“I think it’ll be an exhilarating experience and I’ll probably be disappointed it’s over!”

Retired Susan has long admired EACH’s work, having lived close to its former Quidenham hospice.

She recently visited The Nook, in Framingham Earl, and was given a guided tour by Community Fundraiser Anne Austin.

“I always think charity begins at home and that’s why I’m so keen to support EACH,” said Susan.

“It’s a great cause right here on my doorstep, caring for and supporting people in our community, and I’ve had friends who have used the services.

“Going to the hospice underlined why I’m taking on this challenge. It’s an amazing facility and no-one could fail to be impressed.

“It’s nice doing something not only for the children being cared for but also the parents, siblings and wider family members who are being supported so well.”

To sponsor Susan, head here.

Norwich City legend Grant Holt is swapping his football boots for walking shoes as part of a gruelling charity challenge.

The Canaries hero is trekking 44 miles from Ipswich to The Nook, in Framingham Earl, to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

He plans to set off at 5pm on Tuesday, 8^th August and walk through the night before arriving at EACH’s hospice in Norfolk.

Dad-of-three Grant is an ardent supporter of the charity and completed a fundraising skydive in January 2022.

In advance of his latest challenge, he visited The Nook and was given a tour by Corporate Fundraising Manager Caroline Allen.

“I already knew lots about EACH and the incredible work it does but visiting The Nook was a real experience,” said Grant.

“It’s such an amazing, impressive place and much bigger and better than the old hospice at Quidenham.

“Coming here has definitely inspired me and I felt even more motivated after being told EACH needs to raise £8,600 from voluntary income per day, per hospice to keep The Nook, The Treehouse (in Ipswich) and Milton (near Cambridge) going.

“It needs to raise £6.7 million a year from voluntary donations – and another £7.8 million from its shops – and they’re incredible figures, especially when you consider only 15 per cent comes from statutory sources.

“That’s far less than an adult hospice, which is insane, and why I’m determined to do whatever I can, and raise as much as possible.

“The walk is going to be tough but it’s always good to challenge yourself and do difficult things, especially for such an amazing cause.

“I’ve got 80,000 Twitter followers and if everyone chipped in just £1, we’d have £80,000. How amazing would that be?”

Former striker Grant helped Norwich to back-to-back promotions and was named player-of-the-year three times at Carrow Road.

Now he is an ambassador for specialist recruitment agency ARC Group and he will begin his walk at the company’s Ipswich office on the Alpha Business Park, in White House Road.

In addition to raising funds, the 42-year-old wants to use his platform to raise awareness of the charity, which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia.

“The bigger the total, the bigger difference it’ll make,” said Grant, who was at Norwich City FC from 2009 to 2013.

“We all know it’s hard at the moment. Everyone’s penny-pinching and I understand and respect that, but this is a charity that deserves our support.

“It does a vital job and I’d love it if people could give a pound or two. Let’s see where that takes us.

“Sometimes people give to charity and wonder where the money goes, and whether it makes a difference. Trust me, this money really does make a difference.

“EACH does so many amazing things but I just love the thought of parents being able to take a break – just to grab a coffee or close their eyes for a few minutes. That precious time must help so much and it’s easy to take it for granted.

“It’s the little things that make such a massive difference.

“It’s an amazing charity and, in addition to fundraising, I hope to use my position to help spread the word about EACH.

“It’s such an important cause and I hope publicity from this challenge helps raise awareness, as well as funds. That’s my big hope.”

To show your support and sponsor Grant, click here.

The ARC Group is a specialist recruitment agency covering industries like mechanical and electrical (M&E), construction, healthcare, driving and maintenance. It was founded in 2004.

Pictures: Karen Self/EACH

“flagship deal” and third major M&A in 12 months for dedicated automotive team 

Howes Percival’s dedicated automotive sector team represented leading motor dealership groups – Steven Eagell, Listers and FRF – on their purchase of Motorline Limited’s entire network of 19 Toyota and Lexus dealerships.

Howes Percival was the lead law firm for the buyer, in a highly complex deal involving multiple businesses and geographical locations, including the acquisition of five freehold sites and leases or underleases of the remainder.

The firm’s expertise in the automotive retail sector and depth of resource were key to the success of the transaction.  Led by Corporate partners Andy Harris (also head of the firm’s Automotive Sector Group) and Tom Redman and Commercial Property partner Marcus Carter, the firm mobilised multi-disciplinary teams across several offices to manage the complex investigation inherent in a 19-business acquisition.

Andy Harris and Tom Redman advised the clients on the business and asset purchase aspects of the transaction. Marcus Carter advised on the myriad and complex property arrangements. Simon DeMaid led the team advising on the Employment law issues, Chris White headed the team advising on Commercial law matters, Faye Meredith led the Banking team, Rob Starr led the Regulatory team and the GDPR team was headed by Stephen Ruse.

Commenting on the 19-business acquisition, Tom Redman said, “We were delighted to have acted for Steven Eagell, Listers and FRF on their Toyota/Lexus dealership acquisitions and we wish them every success as they integrate their new dealerships into their existing portfolios.”

Marcus Carter observed: “This has been a flagship deal for us and a unique instruction, with some interesting challenges involving multi-site and business transactions and three buyers who individually are stand-alone giants within the automotive retail sector.”

The deal is Howes Percival’s third major motor dealer M&A transaction completed in the last 12 months, following transactions for the Steven Eagell Group in July 2022 and Group 1 Automotive in September 2022.

Andy Harris continued, “These are interesting times for motor dealers, as some manufacturers move towards an agency rather than conventional distributorship model.  The move to electrification has fallen slightly behind target for some, as the UK’s charging network struggles to cope with the increasing number of EVs on the road. Motor dealers also face increased competition from online car supermarkets.  Howes Percival is in the thick of these changes and we are ready to support our clients not only on their M&A aspirations but also with day-to-day, business-as-usual matters.”

For more information on Howes Percival’s services to the automotive sector, visit: https://www.howespercival.com/sectors/automotive/

Image provided by Howes Percival