MACMILLAN'S COFFEE MORNING

September 30th, 2011

Friday 30th September 2011 heralded the whistling of kettles once again at the Meller Braggins branches as staff brewed up in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support and their World's Biggest Coffee Morning. To draw in the crowds, the Meller Braggins offices were festooned with balloons and bunting and delicious home-made cakes.

While people were having coffee, cakes and a chat, they could enter prize draws to win holidays, coffee machines and cash as well as purchase recipe books. The weather was lovely, which brought people out and the Knutsford branch staff even sold some cakes outside the office door. People who were in a rush but still wanted to donate were able to sample some of the delicious cakes they could see.

All branches had a good number of people who attended and overall we raised £819.96. Many people choose to Gift Aid their donations, which gave the funds a further boost. We would like to thank everyone who baked, served tea and coffee and came in with deep pockets and donated generously. Meller Braggins is proud to support this worthwhile cause and all of your contributions and support is hugely appreciated.

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

May 20 and 21 2011

After the warmest April on record and practice walks in the sun - Friday 20th/Saturday 21st May provided some of the worst weather conditions possible to attempt the 3 Peaks Challenge. Following several training walks and climbs the aim was to complete the ascent and descent of the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis 1344metres/4409 ft), England (Scafell Pike 978 metres/3209ft) and Wales (Snowdon 1085metres/3560 feet) within 24 hours. Our team - comprising Richard Massey, Peter Wain, Martin Wheeler, and Rachel Kirk from our estate office, Simon Middleton from our Northwich office, Richard Shelmerdine from our Tarporley office and Andrew Whitaker and Ben Durham from our Knutsford office were driven by Neil Cummings and managing director Nigel Lammas.

The team set out from the Ben Nevis youth hostel at 4pm on Friday afternoon - fully aware that the forecast for much of the climb was poor with gale force winds and snow lying from 500 metres. The team were forced to split when an ankle injury required Ben Durham to turn back - Peter and Richard Massey escorted Ben down below the cloud cover to allow him to make his way back down to the team bus. The rest of the party waited in the mountain hut at the summit - enduring snow, hail,gales and a wind chill of around -17 degrees. The team reconvened and made good progress down. They arrived at Wasdale for the Scafell Pike climb at 4am - This time the weather was dry, less chilly but with cloud cover. Up and down in just three and a half hours the team rushed south to Wales and the final challenge Snowdon. They arrived at the base at 12.15pm leaving just three and three quarter hours to complete the challenge. Snowdon is arguably the easiest and the quickest of the peaks to complete - The weather however had other ideas. Gale force winds and lashing rain were joined by low cloud rendering visibility minimal and waterproof clothing virtually useless. This final climb was the hardest of all, but the team reached the lake at the bottom of the mountain within 24 hours leaving a short, sodden walk back to the bus.



The team would like to thank everyone for their support and sponsorship - the total raised so far is in excess of £3000.

Meller Braggins is supporting The Christie by doing the 3 Peaks Challenge Find out more at "http://www.justgiving.com/mellerbragginsltd

TAKING ON THE UK'S TOP PEAKS

Three Peaks Challenge
May 20 and 21 2011

Meller Braggins have decided to do the Three Peaks Challenge as part of the company's 175th anniversary celebrations.

A team of staff aims to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours in support of The Christie to show its appreciation of the charity's good work in raising funds to help provide additional services and undertake vital research for cancer patients in Manchester.

Practices have started, including walks up Scafell Pike and Snowdon in preparation for the challenge on May 20 and 21.

Simon Middleton, the branch manager at the Meller Braggins office in Northwich, is joining the expedition team, which includes Richard Massey, Martin Wheeler, Peter Wain, Rachel Kirk, Amanda Proctor, Andrew Whitaker, Ben Durham, Richard Shelmerdine and James Keeble.

The drivers are Nigel Lammas and Neil Cummings. Donations can be made at any office of Meller Braggins or by visiting justgiving.com/MellerBragginsLtd.