Partner Charity 2017-18
We're very proud to announce our Drive for Charity partner charity for 2017-18 as Ronald McDonald House Birmingham
Ronald McDonald House Birmingham supports families while their child receives care and treatment in a specialist children's hospital by giving them a warm and welcoming place to rest their heads, just a moment away from their child. Over the last 25 years, they have helped tens of thousands of families during some of the toughest periods in their lives. When a child is in hospital, their family can often be faced with having to travel long distances each day, and either pay for costly hotel rooms or sleep on a chair at their bedside. Ronald McDonald Houses provide families with a comfortable place to stay that's close to their child, giving them more time and energy to focus on being together.
MEL continue to be proud supporters of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, having donated over £250,000 since road opening in 2003.
Partner Charities 2015-16
Violets in Bloom: Lichfield based charity providing much need support for recently bereaved parents
Kerry Mornington, Chief Executive of Violets in Bloom : “We were absolutely thrilled to hear that we had been selected. As a small charity this will not only provide us with financial assistance, but will also mean continuing support from the wonderful staff at M6toll, and of course the credibility of being in partnership with such a reputable company. The £10,000 will be used toward our endeavour to help bereaved parents and their families with much needed support after the loss of a child.”
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity & Fisher House UK: supporting the patients of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and the UK’s military patients who are treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak hospital
QEHB Charity Chief Executive, Mike Hammond : “We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of M6toll’s three charities and are delighted to welcome them to the QEHB Charity team. The support from M6toll will be invaluable to the charity and the thousands of patients, staff and families we support. The money raised will be used to fund added extras, like a teacher for teenagers with cancer and slippers for elderly patients, as well as cutting edge equipment and vital medical research. Funds generously donated by M6toll will also help fund free accommodation to families of ill or injured military troops at Fisher House, our ‘home away from home’ on site of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We look forward to working closely with everyone at M6toll for the next 12 months and thank them again for their invaluable support of QEHB Charity.”
Staffordshire Search & Rescue Team: locating and rescuing missing people in urban and rural lowland areas
Paul Keen, Chairman of SSART: "I'm not entirely sure where to start with the thanks for the huge award granted to us by MEL. To say that £10,000 is a significant amount to our rescue service would boil down to a good old fashioned British understatement! This is enormous news for us and will have a major impact on our Team's capability to assist police in providing Search and Rescue services to the people of Staffordshire. We would have to fundraise for a couple of years or so to raise enough funds to consider a replacement vehicle. This money will make a massive difference to our resources and enable our dog team and searchers to reach the scene of missing persons incidents quickly and efficiently and carrying essential life-saving equipment. We cannot thank MEL enough for supporting our work so generously, and for helping us to help vulnerable missing persons and their families at their greatest time of need"
Midlands Air Ambulance: Providing first class life saving care to patients across the six counties we cover, by ensuring they reach the most appropriate Trauma Centre for their needs within the Golden Hour.
Sofia Voutianitis, Corporate Partnerships Manager, for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity : “M6toll has been enormously supportive of our vitally important service for over ten years, and we have previously recognised the company at our Recognition Awards for their generous commitment. The additional contribution is greatly appreciated and will help fund future life saving air ambulance missions in the region.”
MEL have been proud supporters of Midlands Air Ambulance since road opening in 2003, having donated over £200,000
MEL were very proud to be gold sponsors at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Ball and Recognition awards this year - watch the video here
Drive for Charity annual fundraising event & fun day
This year's event was held on Friday 7th August at the M6toll Motorway Service Area (MSA) at Norton Canes which is operated by Roadchef and located between junctions T6 and T7 of the M6toll.
MEL’s Social Committee members hosted the event in conjunction with their chosen charities - Violets in Bloom; Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity & Fisher House UK and Staffordshire Search & Rescue Team, along with Midlands Air Ambulance and Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre.
Charity representatives were presented with cheques for £10,000 each by MEL’s Chief Executive, Andy Pearson.
Partner charities 2014-2015
Acorns Children's Hospice: Providing palliative care for those children with life limiting or life threatening illnesses and their families.
£10,000 donation for the provision of essential care and support at their Walsall hospice
Troop Aid: Providing much needed basic essentials to our injured service men and women and support for their families.
£10,000 donation for the provision of 400 grab bags for injured troops
The Guide Dogs: Providing breeding, training and provision of guide dogs and assistance to the blind or partially sighted.
£10,000 donation for sponsorship of two Guide Dog puppies; named Tolly & Tilly
