A male cyclist preparing to BMX on a mud path

This month, HA&W welcome a new team member, discuss some internal process improvements designed to enhance the service you receive, and provide an update on our “virtual” 2021 fundraising challenge.

First up, we welcome Jacob to the team.

Jacob Siara, trainee paraplanner

Jacob is a recent graduate of the University of Leeds and joins us as a trainee paraplanner.

Aiming for a career in the Financial Services sector, Jacob took Economics and Mathematics at A-level and completed a degree in Banking and Finance.

Jacob will be assisting Sue with our research, analysis, and report writing functions.

Born and raised in Nottingham, Jacob is a triplet with his sister Stephanie and brother Lewis (who he is very competitive with).

He enjoys playing sport and staying active, as well as spending time with family and friends. And he tells us he “could have made it pro for Leicester City” if it weren’t for a nasty achilles injury at age 11.

We at HA&W are delighted to welcome Jacob to the team and wish him all the best for his career with us.

Changes to the HA&W administration team

Earlier in the year, we wrote to you, laying out our plans to enhance the service you receive. This involved expanding our team of expert administrators, which is still ongoing, as well as taking on Jacob as our graduate trainee paraplanner.

We have also renamed our “admin team”, to make clearer their client focus. They are now technical administrators within the client care team, and Louisa’s role is Office Co-ordinator, again within the client care team.

With more paraplanning support and an expanding client care team, we are well-positioned for the future and can continue to ensure that you receive the best service possible.

The 2021 HA&W fundraising challenge

After 20 years of fundraising challenges, the coronavirus pandemic forced us to find new ways to support our community last year.

Now we’re delighted to announce that we’re back for 2021!

We will be attempting a “by any means necessary” journey, as we take on the Length of the UK Virtual Challenge, a road trip from Land’s End to John o’Groats.

The whole HA&W team will be walking, running, treadmilling, cycling, and exercise biking in aid of Loughborough Area Food Bank, an amazing local charity supporting our community’s most vulnerable.

The whistle sounds on 10 September and our 10-strong HA&W team will then have 10 days to complete a total of 1,083 miles (1,743 km).

The coronavirus pandemic has proved a challenging time for us all and the effects of job losses and business closures in the local area have left many struggling. The Loughborough Food Bank has been there to help.

As a local charity, it is supporting the vulnerable in our own community. It has given away over 82 tonnes of food since it was founded in 2018 and helped over 4,936 people last year – more than a third of whom were children.

The pandemic has seen a fourfold increase in those using the service, but they don’t just supply much-needed food. They also provide access to debt counselling and mental health support.

The money we raise will help to extend the services offered and help the charity towards its long-term aim of helping people solve the underlying issues of poverty.

The money we raise through our virtual challenge will make a huge difference and we know that, as in previous years, we can rely on your support.

Get involved

You can check-in for regular updates on our dedicated 2021 Fundraising Challenge page, where you’ll find more information on the incredible work the Loughborough Area Food Bank is doing.

You’ll also be able to donate via our 2021 Fundraising Form, which allows us to keep track of the money we have raised. Clicking “Submit” will take you to the charity’s official donation page where you will be asked to enter your full details.

If you would rather pay by cheque, please let us know and we will send you a prepaid envelope along with cheque details for the charity.