M6toll supports world winning dance team at Dance World Cup
The M6toll are proud to announce its support of Elite Academy of Performing Arts in Lichfield (Elite Academy), with a donation of £300 to help fund the group’s participation in the 2023 Dance World Cup.
Taking to the world stage for only the second time after participating in last year’s event, the dancers were triumphant again, returning as World Champions for the second year running. Alongside the gold medal won for their ballet quartet, the team also collected a bronze in the boys junior ballet section.
Established in 1999, Elite Academy has grown to be one of the most respected schools in the region. Home to many championship winners, the academy has an excellent reputation for producing well rounded, confident performers who are encouraged to reach their full potential – many of them have gone on to a professional dance career in the West End or joined a professional dance company.
The dance studio is also an associate school with the Royal Opera House and Royal Ballet delivering the Chance to Dance Programme, which gives primary school children from across the country the chance to engage in ballet.
The funding provided by the M6toll supported the group’s participation in the 2023 Dance World Cup held in Portugal, where they competed against the best dancers from around the world.
Donna Wilcox, principal at Elite Academy, says: “It is a huge honour to represent your country and the dancers have worked so hard to not only qualify, but help fundraise to ensure they were able to compete.
“We are hugely grateful for the support of the M6Toll for their donation, it truly meant a lot to the dancers.”
Jo Brett; MEL CSR Project Coordinator added: “It is a pleasure to be supporting this talented group with their entry into the Dance World Cup, and we’re thrilled that they have retained the world title for their quartet and medalled in the solos too.
“We have a long-standing connection with Elite here at the M6toll after they performed at our road opening back in 2003. To win again is a fantastic achievement and we wish them every success for the future!”
The M6toll donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. The M6toll is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with the M6toll for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
For more information about Elite Academy of Performing Arts visit: http://www.eliteacademy.co.uk/
Back to newsM6toll support local community group in Brownhills
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of Brownhills Community Association with a donation of £1,000 to support local residents with a community friendship group.
Brownhills Community Association are a self-supporting enterprise providing a range of services for the local area. They work with partners to provide support, education, recreation and leisure facilities for the general community.
The funding provided by the M6toll will support a friendship group, providing tea, coffee and soup for the local community in a warm, safe environment. Brownhills has areas of deprivation which the association support throughout the year by offering services such as dance, drama, music and a dementia /Alzheimer’s carers support group.
Throughout the cost-of-living crisis Brownhills community association have supported single parents with access to their food bank and are hoping to provide more services going forward on how to cook well on a budget, providing information and advice on health and wellbeing.
Janet Davies said: “We are here to support our residents through the cost-of-living crisis by providing services such as the Warm Walsall initiative. Residents can visit the centre for a hot cup of soup and cup of tea anytime and receive a warm welcome. Thank you to the M6toll for helping us support local people.”
Michael Whelan; General Manager at the M6toll added: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit the Brownhills Community Association and see first-hand how important the services provided are to local residents. We hope our funding will help the group to continue, ensuring the local community have access to a warm, safe and friendly environment”.
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll support Staffordshire Women’s Aid in recognition of International Women’s Day
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of Staffordshire Women’s Aid in recognition of International Women’s Day with funding to support their helpline service for victims of domestic and sexual violence in Staffordshire.
Staffordshire Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation providing specialist services for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence since 1976. Forty-five years on they remain a grass roots, user-led organisation, placing at the heart of their work the experiences of those they support.
Their work aims to empower victims to become survivors and to shape change towards safer, more independent lives, free from violence and abuse. To achieve their social objectives they provide innovative, responsive services, delivered by a dedicated and skilled team of staff and volunteers.
As an organisation we are keen to celebrate International Women’s Day and all that it stands for, a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Creating a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Through supporting charities such as Staffordshire Women’s Aid we hope to empower women to be independent and strong.
Charlotte Almond; Strategy and Business Development Manage at Staffordshire Women’s Aid said; “Since 1976 Staffordshire Women’s Aid has been supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse. It is thanks to the incredibly generous support of our local community and businesses, such as the Midland Expressway, that we have been able to provide our much-needed service for over 45 years. Since the start of covid we have seen a staggering 81% increase in calls to our 24-Hour Helpline. Midland Expressway’s generous donation of £1,000 will go towards running our helpline during March and will ensure victims of domestic and sexual violence in Staffordshire can access support and advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Sarah Loizou; HR & Business Services Director added: “Highlighting International Women’s Day and women’s equality is extremely important to us as an organisation which is why the work of Staffordshire Women’s Aid instantly stood out as they are committed not only to equality and diversity but aim to empower and shape change for women.”
Staffordshire Women’s Aid offer a range of free and confidential services providing specialist support for victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence. If you or someone you know requires emotional support, information, advice or guidance you can call the Staffordshire Women’s Aid 24-hour helpline on 0300 330 5959.
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll to support restoration of local Sands Memorial Garden
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of local bereavement support service, Sands with £1,000 to support the restoration of the Sands Memorial Garden based at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
Sands is the UK’s leading baby loss charity which works to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families. They are determined to save every life they can, and they do this by investing in research to improve maternity safety, campaigning for change, and working to reduce inequalities.
For over 20 years the Sands Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum has provided a peaceful, safe space for families to grieve and commemorate their losses, whenever they feel ready to do so. There are usually between 200 and 300 families attending Sands’ Garden Day. It is a time for reflection and remembrance with poetry, readings, and music. It is a vital time for families to get together and receive support from bereavement support services and peers.
Sands are embarking upon a vital restoration and maintenance project which will be supported by the M6toll to ensure the garden remains the peaceful protected space that has served the community for so long.
Designed in consultation with bereaved parents, the Memorial Garden provides a haven of peace and reflection available all year round. The restoration project will ensure families, local communities, Sands Support Groups, Befrienders, and all visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum are able to use the garden, helping families to support each other and their communities.
Jen Coates, Director of Bereavement Support Services said: “We are incredibly thankful to Midland Expressway Ltd for supporting the restoration of the Sands Memorial Garden. Our memorial gardens have, for many years, been peaceful and beautiful spaces for bereaved families to visit and remember their babies. The restoration of the Memorial Garden in Staffordshire will be a significant step in allowing bereaved families to use this space for many years to come to commemorate their much loved, and missed, babies”
Jo Brett; M6toll Charity Coordinator added: “We are extremely proud to be supporting the restoration of this special garden for local families within our community. The positive benefits of the environment on health and wellbeing are well documented, we hope the Sands Memorial Garden will support bereaved parents with a peaceful and safe space to grieve.”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to news£1.1m investment in M6toll keeps the Midlands moving this winter
Users of M6toll are in safe hands this winter, following a £1.1m investment in seasonal weather preparations. The package of measures will further establish the route – which helps drivers avoid the heavily congested M6 through the West Midlands – as one of the best maintained and most popular roads in the UK.
Extra safety patrols, a more sophisticated weather reporting system and upgraded gritters will help the 31-strong operations team keep the road flowing freely throughout the season, including the all-important festive period.
If the temperature drops, pre-wetted salt will be used by gritters for the first time this year, which can be safer, quicker and more effective in keeping roads ice-free. Large tanks have been installed on-site to produce a special brine solution, which is then carried on the gritter lorries and sprayed onto the rock salt as it leaves the rear of the vehicle.
“Pre-wetted salt can be applied faster with less waste, and it melts ice quicker”, says the M6toll’s Chief Operating Officer, James Hodson. “That means safer roads and less impact on the environment, potentially reducing our rock salt usage by hundreds of tonnes a year.”
Whatever the weather, the Incident Response Team (IRT) will continue to provide 24/7 peace of mind for M6toll’s 50,000 daily users, trained to deal with everything from major incidents to a broken down vehicle.
“We don’t just leave you to fend for yourself if you break down on M6toll – you really are in safe hands,” says James Hodson. “We patrol the route 24 hours a day, which means we’ll usually be with you in less than 15 minutes to check everything’s ok.”
Responders will often stay with motorists until recovery arrives, providing hot drinks and blankets while they wait – or take them somewhere safer if necessary.
“It’s no fun breaking down on the motorway in the middle of winter,” James continues, “but a friendly face, a warm blanket and a cup of tea can make all the difference. That’s just something you don’t experience on other roads.”
The IRT is also responsible for identifying other safety issues, such as debris on the road or blocked drainage. Extra patrols will often take place during stormy weather, supported by an on-call supply chain that can provide specialist equipment and expertise, such as vacuum tankers, pipe jetters, recovery vehicles and even tree surgeons.
The whole operation is supported by the road’s dedicated 24/7 control room and CCTV monitoring centre, which identifies incidents and helps to co-ordinate the response along the 27 mile stretch of motorway.
Back to newsM6toll spreads Christmas cheer to older people in local community
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of a charity aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation amongst older people with a donation of £1,500 to fund local community Christmas activities across the Midlands.
Re-engage offers support to older people in Sutton Coldfield and is committed to fighting loneliness so that people have social lives and friendship groups however old they are. They inspire and enable meaningful connections and shared experiences within communities across the UK for people over 75 facing loneliness and social isolation.
As Christmas can be one of the loneliest and most difficult times of the year and even more so this year due to the cost-of-living crisis, Midland Expressway Ltd will be supporting Re-engage’s community Christmas activities in the Midlands. Community Christmas provides a free online directory of local festive events and activities taking place across the UK, which are open to local older people who would otherwise be spending Christmas Day alone. Any older person taking part in community Christmas will also be offered year-round companionship through Re-engage’s other free services which include telephone befriending and regular social groups.
Midland Expressway Ltd made their donation of £1,500 during the ‘Big Give’ the UK’s biggest match funding campaign – the Christmas Challenge meaning the donation doubled to £3,000. Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Alec Reed CBE, the Christmas challenge has raised millions of pounds for thousands of charity projects since it first launched the Big Give in 2008, offering supporters of participating charities the opportunity to have their donation doubled.
Meryl Davies, CEO of Re-engage said; “For most of us Christmas is a time of celebration with family and friends. But thousands of older people will be dreading this period because they feel lonely and isolated. Community Christmas gives every older person the opportunity to look for a place to celebrate the festive season. So, many, many thanks to Midland Expressway for a donation that will ensure support and inspire communities to come together and bring some happiness to older people who yearn for company at this time of year.”
Sarah Loizou, HR & Business Services Director added: “Christmas can be a very difficult time of the year for many which is why we were keen to support the older people in our community through this initiative, ensuring they feel connected, valued and heard this Christmas.”
If you are an organisation, group, or individual who is hosting an event or activity, that is welcoming to older people, on Christmas Day or over the festive period for people who will be by themselves, please add it to Re-engage’s free online directory here: Community Christmas: events and activities for older people (reengage.org.uk) or call 0800 716543.
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll support local Children’s Charity with gift of play this Christmas
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of Newlife, the Charity for Disabled Children with their Christmas Campaign which aims to provide the gift of play to disabled children across the region.
Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children help disabled children and families in the UK.
Childhood cancers, birth defects, accidents, diseases and infections can cause babies, children, and young people to face lifelong challenges. There are now more than one million disabled and terminally ill children in the UK. Thousands of them rely on Newlife to get the equipment they need, equipment that has often been refused by the statutory services or the delays in provision mean that the child can suffer unnecessarily. Newlife runs the only emergency equipment services in the UK helping those children in urgent need.
Midland Expressway Ltd will be supporting Newlife with giving the gift of play this Christmas, providing £1500 towards three play therapy pods. The aim is to change a child’s life through play meaning that more disabled and terminally ill children experience the joy of play for the first time. Play Therapy Pods are a package of specialist toys which Newlife loan to families for 12 weeks. There are a range of pods to suit different ages and developmental needs, which is vital to help children develop key skills as well as distract from pain and help the whole family bond.
Craig Stewart, Newlife Head of Corporate Fundraising: said: “The toys in our Play Therapy Pods can be just as life changing as the disability equipment we provide for children through grants and loans. Finding the right toys for a child to respond to can lead to developmental leaps, children reaching out for the first time, saying their first words and even playing with siblings for the first time, creating magical memories many families never thought it would happen.
“We urgently need people to donate to the Play Therapy Pod service so we can help more children receive these amazing pods and more families know that joy this Christmas. Any donations made, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to the children and families who are helped by this service.”
Jo Brett; M6toll Charity Coordinator added: “We are so pleased to be supporting Newlife with their Christmas appeal. Having previously supported the play therapy pods we recognise how important they are in ensuring children with disabilities and terminal illnesses can experience the joy of play for themselves. We hope that our support enables Newlife to distribute more specialist toys to children in need this Christmas.”
More information about Newlife’s Christmas appeal can be found here: Christmas Appeal – newlifecharity
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll provide sponsorship to local Football team
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce their support of Next Generation FC U16s football team with a donation of £1,500 to funds new kits for the season ahead.
Established in 2007, Next Generation FC have used the power of education, sport and football to inspire and engage the next generation. Their platform allows children and young adults the opportunity to succeed on and off the pitch and their team of coaches, mentors and tutors always strive to deliver a positive impact. The team offer a wide range of skills and qualifications to bring the best out of their players and students. The club have created a positive environment to unlock the potential of all involved.
James Dormand; founder of Next Generation FC said: “On behalf of everyone at Next Generation Football Club and particularly our U16 players, coaches and parents, we would like to express our thanks to the M6toll for providing a brand new Nike training and match kit for the forthcoming Junior Premier League season. An incredible gesture to support our next generation of young people and hopefully inspire them to success on and off the pitch.”
Gavin Revell; Chief Information Officer added: “Supporting young people in sport is incredibly important to us as an organisation. We are delighted to be able to support this great team of young players with funding towards their kits for the upcoming season and wish the whole team every success in the Midlands Junior Premier League this year.”
For more information about Next Generation Academy visit:
Next Generation Football Academy – Next Generation Football Academy (nextgenerationfa.co.uk)
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to news
M6toll fund essential equipment to treat pets of local people in need
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are proud to announce they are supporting PDSA with a donation of £1,222 to fund two Infusion Pumps for its Wolverhampton Pet Hospital.
PDSA cares for the pets of people in need by providing free and low-cost veterinary services to sick and injured animals whose owners would otherwise struggle to pay for vital treatments. Every day, vets and vet nurses across the charity’s 48 Pet Hospitals work tirelessly, saving pets’ lives and ensuring they are happy and healthy.
PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity and, in 2021, its dedicated team provided 1.8 million treatments and saved the lives of 134,000 pets who needed emergency care. The charity helped more than 370,000 much-loved pets over the course of the year, bringing peace of mind to over 320,000 owners. PDSA is also a leading authority on pet health and wellbeing: whether it is offering advice on pet obesity, conducting its PAW Report – Britain’s biggest annual pet wellbeing survey, raising the status of animals, or simply celebrating pets’ contribution to our lives.
Scott Williams, Strategic Partnerships Manager at PDSA, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive funding for two Infusion Pumps for our Wolverhampton Pet Hospital, thanks to the M6toll’s Drive for Charity in the Community scheme. This generous donation will fund essential equipment to treat the poorly pets of people in need across the city. PDSA is solely funded by the generosity of donors and, without their support, we could not continue to provide our vital veterinary services within local communities.”
Max Estevez; MEL CSR Project Coordinator added: “With the cost of living continually rising we were keen to support this project and charity that support local people with the costs of unforeseen pet care. Animal welfare is very important to us, and we are delighted to be supporting the PDSA with funding towards essential equipment for their pet hospital in Wolverhampton. ”
For more information about the PDSA visit: What we do – PDSA
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to news