Xmas Space

Gloucestershire businesses band together to raise money for charity

by EventsNews

Small business owners from across Gloucestershire have joined forces to host an independent Christmas shopping experience in aid of a local hospice.

A host of street food vendors, bakeries and handmade gift creators will join other Cheltenham and Gloucester businesses to host Christmas at Space – a festive get together to raise money for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice – at Space Business Centre Gloucester next month.

The site in Olympus Park, Quedgeley, is home to more than 50 independent businesses, with tenants set to be joined by residents of its sister site Cheltenham Space Business Centre, as well as guest businesses from across the region on Sunday, December 4 from 10am to 2pm.

In addition to a range of festive goodies on offer to the public, from personalised art and unique homeware to mouth-watering BBQ and baked goods and collectible models, Space Business Centres has teamed up with Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice to a host a charity raffle with a range of prizes available.

Space resident James Brown, of JB event hire, is a long-term supporter of the charity. He said: “It’s brilliant that the Space family and other local traders have come together to raise money for such an important local charity whist showcasing all of the great products and services they have to offer.

“It will be a very special event and one that I hope will continue over the years to come. We are really looking forward to this Christmas event and hope to see you all there.”

Alysia Cameron-Price, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “A visit to the Space event is a great way to kick-start the festive season and tick off some Christmas gifts from your list, all while raising vital funds for families needing our care.

“It’s an honour to see so many local businesses join forces to support us and we hope that the community will get behind them.”

Space Business Centres Gloucester and Cheltenham are owned by property development company AC Lloyd and offer flexible, multi-use units ranging from 275 to 775 sq ft. Their 30-day licences are designed to support new businesses that have outgrown the kitchen table.

Lucy Iles, site manager at Space Gloucester and Cheltenham, said: “We are incredibly excited to be hosting our inaugural Christmas at Space.

“It’s a great chance for visitors to find out more about the incredible businesses that make up the Space family, as well as pick up some Christmas gifts and try some fantastic food.

“We hope that we will not only have a brilliant turn out in support of local small businesses, but also raise funds for Sue Ryder through our Christmas raffle, and we’d love to hear from guest businesses interested in joining us on the day.”

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Gloucester man to take on London Marathon for charity in memory of keen runner dad

by EventsNewsUncategorized

A Gloucester business owner is preparing to take on the London Marathon 2022 in memory of his father, and has set his sights on a fundraising feat to give back to the charity that cared for his dad.

James Brown, owner of JB Event Hire at Space Business Centre in Gloucester, is hoping to raise £5,000 for Sue Ryder as he prepares for the big race on Sunday, October 2.

James, who started running 10ks and half-marathons after his dad, Ian, passed away following a six-year battle with cancer, is hosting a series of fundraising activities for #TeamSueRyder, starting with a charity car wash on Sunday, April 3 from 10am until 4pm.

Sue Ryder, which is based locally at the Leckhampton Court Hospice, provided end-of-life care to Ian and bereavement support to James and his family as his condition deteriorated.

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Ian started running, against medical advice, to stay fit and raise money for Cancer Research UK. He completed the London Marathon in 2016, raising over £20k for a variety of charities despite having his right lung removed two years before.

Ian had been accepted on to the London Marathon in 2019, but was unable to take part as his condition began to restrict his mobility.

In the summer of 2020, doctors found more than 20 inoperable tumours on his brain. Sue Ryder commenced palliative care at Ian’s home, visiting at least twice a day to support Ian and his family.

On August 16, 2020, Ian was taken to the Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice for round-the-clock care. In the midst of the pandemic James was unable to visit the hospice, but care teams were at the end of the phone so the family could get updates as often as they liked. He died two days later.

James said: “My dad was given six months to live after his first diagnosis, but proved the doctors wrong and he made it to six years. I started running in May 2020 in the hope of running alongside him, but sadly never got the chance.

“I’ve caught the running bug over the last couple of years and doing 10k runs has helped me to lose three-and-a-half stone while doing something that connects me to my dad.

“I completed the Cheltenham Half Marathon in September 2021 in support of Sue Ryder, and now I’ve got my sights on the TCS London Marathon to give something back for their incredible support.

“We’ve set a £5,000 fundraising target, and are kicking off with a charity car wash at Space Business Centre in Quedgeley.

“We are looking at hosting some other fundraising activities in the build-up to October to help us reach our target, but we’d love to see people in the local area showing their support.”

Matt Reay, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have James on #TeamSueRyder for the TCS London Marathon 2022. James is a huge supporter of the hospice, running events and raising vital funds but also volunteering his time, like collecting hundreds of Christmas trees as part of our Treecycling initiative in January.

“As a charity we are heavily reliant on the fundraising and volunteering support of local people, organisations and groups so we can continue to be there when it matters. We wish James all the best in his training and fundraising ahead of the big day in October.”

Space Business Centre Gloucester, which is owned by property development company AC Lloyd, is providing additional site space and support for the charity car wash.

A minimum donation of £5 is required, with tea, coffee and cake available from Nicky’s Cakes & Bakes.

Lucy Iles, site manager at Space Business Centres in Gloucester and Cheltenham, said: “Cancer has changed the life of so many wonderful people and I admire James for stepping up to raise money for such a worthy local cause.

“We at Space Cheltenham and Gloucester are behind him every step of the way and will be cheering him on to cross the finish line, as well as rolling up our sleeves to help wash some cars on the 3rd.”

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-brown229

Caption: James Brown, owner of JB Event Hire in Gloucester, is hoping to raise £5,000 for #TeamSueRyder when he takes on the London Marathon in October