2011

The role that the City should play in Britain’s economic recovery was the main topic of debate at the third YN Finance reception, which raised £16,000 for Norwood. More than 150 young finance professionals attended last night's fundraiser at the offices of leading law firm Mayer Brown.

65 cycling enthusiasts got into gear for Norwood’s international bike ride in Thailand, which has so far raised an incredible £250,000. The ten day adventure began amongst the towering silk cotton trees of Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai, and finished at the infamous Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. During the ride, the group covered a 318km route through remote northern Thailand and explored areas beyond the usual tourist trail, travelling through

BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob was the guest of honour at a cocktail party organised by Norwood in recognition of the on-going commitment and generosity of its YN Patrons. Around 100 young Norwood supporters attended last night’s event at the prestigious Audi showroom in Piccadilly.

Norwood celebrated Chanukah early as more than 200 people who use its services attended its annual festive dinner and disco at JCoSS on Monday evening. Guests were welcomed with nibbles and drinks served by a group of JCoSS students, who were later joined by headteacher Jeremy Stowe-Lindner for a Menorah lighting ceremony. They then sat down to a three course meal, followed by customary donuts, before being invited to dance the night away.

Fundraiser Andrea Fraquelli is hoping to run up a huge total for Norwood this year by completing a quartet of marathons in a combined total of 12 hours. Andrea, Operations Manager at the Metropolitan Restaurants Group, is already a regular Norwood participant in the London Marathon. He will join 21 other Norwood runners on 17 April to raise vital funds for the Charity’s life-changing work with people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need.

The gloves were off last night as 500 guests turned out to raise £192,000 for Norwood and the Philip Green Memorial Trust (PGMT), at the charities’ first joint Annual Boxing Dinner. The event, held at the Lancaster Hotel, featured three bouts of boxing in which contenders fought for the British Masters light heavyweight title. It also incorporated the first Construction Industry Award, won by Laing O’Rourke for Quality in Construction for One Hyde Park, and the Henry Cooper Award, which was pres

Fundraiser extraordinaire Flora Frank notched up yet another milestone earlier this month by completing her 22nd marathon in aid of Norwood. Wintry conditions in the UK meant the power-walking great-grandmother had little opportunity to train for the gruelling Tiberias Marathon in Israel on 6 January. But she still managed to cross the line in just over six hours and is on course to raise £18,000 for the charity this year.

Norwood is demonstrating its commitment to the Charedi community by continuing to offer training to Rebbes and teachers within the community’s boys schools. The training is delivered by experts from Binoh, Norwood’s specialist education and therapy service, at the Charity’s Somers Family Centre in Hackney.

Celebrity VIPs including Alesha Dixon, Theo Paphitis and Karren Brady joined guest speaker Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and more than 1,200 Norwood supporters to help the Charity raise £2.8million at its Annual Dinner. Other high profile attendees at the star-studded event, held last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, included Sir Philip Green, Kate Garraway and Vanessa Feltz. The money raised will help Norwood achieve its annual fundraising target of £10million, which it needs

More than 1,300 cycling enthusiasts took part in a 60-mile adventure through the English countryside on Sunday, 10 July, in aid of three amazing causes. Now in its 16th year, the Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity raised £250,000 for Norwood, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Congregants at the New North London Synagogue gave a warm welcome to a group of Norwood services users on Friday evening as they hosted the first of a series of special Shabbat services for people with learning disabilities. Around 20 people who live in Norwood residential and supported accommodation attended the service at the congregation’s newly-opened building, in East End Road, before being invited to join NNLS members for a three-course meal prepared by volunteers.

Cycling enthusiasts have less than two months to sign up to and train for a charity bike ride which will take riders on a 60-mile adventure through the English countryside in aid of three amazing causes. Now in its 16th year, the Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity will take place on Sunday, 10 July, and aims to raise an estimated £300,000 for Norwood, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Norwood’s volunteers were honoured for their dedication and commitment to the Charity at a reception hosted by the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, at the House of Lords, overlooking the Thames. A group of 200 people who give up their time to perform a range of duties for Norwood, attended the special event in bright sunshine on Monday afternoon. They included a number of volunteers, including Muriel Kauffer, Pat Kipps, Joyce Senker and Sandra Young, who have each been volunteering for Norwood for over

Pupils and staff at JCoSS, the UK’s first cross-communal Jewish secondary school, yesterday celebrated its official opening at a ceremony attended by over 300 people. Guests included Tim Loughton, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, Gerald Ronson, The Mayor of Barnet and Norwood President Richard Desmond.

A financier who helped establish his US liquidation firm as a global leader before retiring to devote his life to philanthropy was guest of honour at Norwood’s sixth annual Distressed Investing Dinner, which raised more than £141,000.

A leading solicitor with an incurable degenerative disorder will be amongst a group of cyclists taking part in a sponsored bike ride in Israel in aid of Norwood, a charity which helps people with learning disabilities and children and families in need. The 380km five-day adventure, from 19-27 November, will cover the scenic route from Ashkelon to Eilat and involve crossing notoriously difficult terrain in the Negev desert.

Dragons’ Den panellist Theo Paphitis lauded Norwood and its work, describing it as the epitome of a good charity, as he helped raise an incredible £90,000 at its annual Business Breakfast today.

There were mind games and brain teasers galore last night as Norwood’s Enterprise Committee staged its fifth annual Supper Quiz. The quiz, which raised a fantastic £9,500, was held at St Michael’s Banqueting Hall in Golders Green.

More than 450 cycling enthusiasts of all ages took part in Norwood’s annual Junior Bike Ride this Father’s Day. Large numbers of sporty youngsters aged 7-14 and their families participated in the 10 mile off-road adventure which took place on Sunday, 19 June. The Junior Bike Ride gives young people the opportunity to raise money in order to make a difference to the lives of people who rely on the Charity’s services.

Social media such as Twitter and Facebook were put on trial by a panel of experts at Norwood’s inaugural Women in Business Breakfast this morning. Women from a wide variety of industries gathered at the City offices of Reed Smith LLP for the event, which is the first Norwood event of its kind and raised over £5,000 for the Charity’s work with people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need.

Norwood celebrated emerging young talent within the property industry as it hosted the inaugural YN Property Awards Dinner, which raised £57,000. More than 320 young property professionals attended last Thursday’s fundraiser at the Hilton London Metropole, which was generously sponsored by Derwent London.

Football does not take racism seriously. This was the conclusion reached by an audience of over 150 young professionals who attended YN Sport’s inaugural fundraising and networking event last night. The event, held at the offices of SJ Berwin in London, raised an incredible £9,500 for Norwood, which supports adults with learning disabilities and children and families in need.

Chanukah came early for 50 children who use Norwood’s services as they took part in the Charity’s annual Toy Sweep at Toys R Us at Brent Cross on Sunday 4th December. The youngsters, their parents and Norwood staff gathered dozens of toys, games and other gifts using £4,500 raised by the Toy Sweep Committee. These will now be distributed among the Norwood’s children and family services, including its three family centres in Hendon, Hackney and Redbridge, its Unity recreational club, and Buckets

Around 100 golfers clubbed together yesterday to help raise £50,000 for Norwood at its annual Golf Day.

Former FA Chairman Lord David Triesman gave a ringing endorsement to Norwood and its ‘exceptional’ work as he helped the charity raise £435,000 at its annual Property Lunch. Lord Triesman’s forthright and candid interview with 5 News presenter, Matt Barbet was the highlight of the fundraising and networking event, held at the Marriot London in Grosvenor Square on Friday.

More than 140 residents of Ravenswood – Norwood’s residential community for adults with learning disabilities in Berkshire – were given a licence to thrill at a James Bond-themed summer ball on Monday evening.

Norwood is once again calling on members of the Jewish Community to support its Rosh Hashanah appeal and help it reach a fundraising target of £100,000. The money it generates will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need, who rely on the support provided by Norwood each year.

The Princess Royal is due to visit Ravenswood village in Crowthorne, Berkshire, on 24 February for a tour of its stables. It is the second time the Princess has been welcomed to the residential community for people with physical and learning disabilities, following an earlier visit in May, 1972.

Some took the high road, and some took the low road, but the combined efforts of a group of 55 cyclists who rode through Israel in aid of Norwood has generated a wheely amazing £260,000. During the five-day adventure, which took place 19-27 November, 30 riders rode from Jerusalem to Eilat, while a further 25 opted for an extremely challenging north to south route through the land of milk and honey. The funds raised by both groups will go towards Norwood’s life-changing work with people with lear

Norwood’s new YN Co-Chair has vowed to continue the ‘innovative’ work of the charity’s fundraising programme for younger supporters, following his appointment this week. James Reichman will join fellow Co-Chair Simon Walton at the head of the YN Board, which advises on all aspects of YN fundraising.

More than 400 cycling enthusiasts young and old are gearing up to take part in Norwood’s annual Junior Bike Ride this Father’s Day. Large numbers of sporty youngsters aged 7-14 and their families have signed up for the 10 mile off-road adventure on Sunday, 19 June. The Junior Bike Ride gives young people the opportunity to raise money in order to make a difference to the lives of people who rely on the charity’s services.

ITV political correspondent Lucy Manning revealed the truth about her close encounter with the new Downing Street cat, as she helped Norwood raise £12,000 at its annual Ladies Lunch

The following letter by Norma Brier, Chief Executive of Norwood, appeared in the Guardian's Society supplement on 8 June. It was written in response to the BBC Panorama programme, Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed, about the systematic abuse of adults with learning disabilities at the Winterbourne View hospital in Bristol.

Volunteers including the Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Lisa Rutter, rolled up their sleeves and gave up their time for Norwood as part of Mitzvah Day. The Mayor got into the spirit of the annual day of good deeds by attending a special tea party thrown by YN volunteers at the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre in Hendon for members of the Unity recreational group for children and young people with disabilities.

Mike Freer MP and Mayor of Barnet, Cllr Lisa Rutter, with be joining Norwood staff and volunteers on Sunday 21 November in support of Mitzvah Day. The day of good deeds includesa special tea party for members of the Unity recreational group for children and young people with disabilities, which will be attended by the Mayor. The party will feature a number of games and activities including the creation of a large artwork to be hung at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children and Family Centre.

Children and young people who use Buckets & Spades Lodge are being offered a feast for the senses thanks to a new play and therapy facility. Officially opened yesterday, the state-of-the-art sensory room at Norwood’s overnight short break service in Finchley was made possible by a £30,000 grant from the Philip Green Memorial Trust.

The Guardian's Society supplement today published a letter written by Norma Brier, Chief Executive of Norwood, in response to an article about the Government's proposal to cut the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.

Norwood, one of the UK’s leading social care organisations, today announces the appointment of its new Chief Executive, Elaine Kerr.

Norwood has appointed Yonni Abramson as its new YN Patronage Chair, as part of a continuing effort to attract younger donors to the Charity. As part of his role, he will be responsible for organising various networking opportunities for Norwood’s young patrons.

Trustees, Advisory Council members, staff and key supporters of Norwood celebrated the long and illustrious career of outgoing Chief Executive, Norma Brier, at a special reception at 11 Downing Street last night. Over 100 guests, including Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, attended the event at the official home of the Second Lord of the Treasury. During the evening, Norwood announced that in recognition of her immense contribution to the Charity, Norma has been appoint

To mark Learning Disability Week 2011 (20-26 June), Norwood is organising a range of activities to raise awareness about the issues that affect people with a learning disability.

Norwood hosted a Purim extravaganza last night for more than 100 adults who use the Charity’s services. The glitzy bash was kindly hosted by the recently-opened Jewish Community Secondary School (JCoSS) in East Barnet.

The first commercial car wash in London to be manned by people with a learning disability was today launched by leading UK charity Norwood. Norwood Future Clean, which is part of the Charity’s rapidly expanding Supported Employment programme, is a training project that teaches participants vital work skills. The eco-friendly hand car wash and valet service is based at Grimsdyke Road Car Park in Hatch End, where the space has been kindly donated by the Harrow Council in a partnership agreement.

Norwood has launched a new social group in Berkshire in partnership with Wokingham, Bracknell & Districts Mencap.

The group, called '@ the Acorn', gives people with profound and multiple learning disabilities the chance to meet new friends and take part in fun activities. It has been running every Tuesday since 6 September at the Acorn Community Centre in Wokingham and is already attended by more than 20 people who use Norwood’s services and from the wider community.

Norwood has launched a consultation with residents and their families to gather their views on how to make better use of vacant buildings and land at Ravenswood and enhance their living environment. Norwood – which runs the residential community for adults with learning disabilities in Berkshire - has estimated that approximately 20 acres of land is no longer in use and could deteriorate over time.

Eat your heart out Tiffany’s! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romantic gift hunters need look no further than Norwood. The charity has launched a new online shop which sells jewellery and other items made by adults with learning disabilities.

The chips were up as 100 wannabe card sharps raised £85,000 at the second annual Norwood 100 Poker tournament. Players displayed their best poker faces during multiple hands of Triple Chance No Limit Texas Hold’em at the fundraising event, held on Monday night at the Playboy Club in Mayfair.

Leading UK social care charity Norwood has received a generous £150,000 funding boost from Pears Foundation. The donation from the well-respected philanthropic organisation will be used to develop the Charity’s existing services for people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need.

Leaders in the field of child welfare in Kosovo have praised Norwood’s vital work with children and families following a tour of the charity’s services. A group of Kosovan professionals visited the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre and Buckets & Spades overnight short break facility on Monday, 4 April as part of a UK trip organised by the One to One Children’s Fund.

The Government today announced plans to set up a panel which will review the process by which prospective adopters are recruited.

Norwood has been awarded an incredible £235,000 by the Big Lottery Fund for an innovative project which uses SMART phone technology to help people with learning disabilities acquire key travel skills and thereby become more independent. Freedom through Travel, is a three-year scheme which begins in June, and will provide travel training to 88 adults who use Norwood’s residential and supported living services.

During National Adoption Week (31 October-6 November), the Norwood Adoption Society is issuing an urgent appeal for adopters on behalf of hundreds of children from across the UK in need of a new and loving home.

Stunning customised vintage clothing made from stock donated to Norwood’s charity shops was the star of Norwood’s inaugural fashion show last night. The evening of glitz, glamour and high fashion raised £22,000 for charity’s work with people with learning disabilities, and children and families in need.

Norwood’s Patrons and YN Patrons were honoured for their commitment to the Charity’s life-changing work at its annual cocktail party. The event last Wednesday was held at the Halcyon Gallery in Mayfair, which once again generously sponsored the evening. More than 200 dedicated donors enjoyed a drinks and canapés reception and a private viewing of landscape art, including the rarely-seen Chemin dans les vignes, Argenteuil, by Claude Monet.

Norwood today announced the retirement of its long-serving Chief Executive, Norma Brier after 22 years of loyal service.

A well-respected Rabbi and County Councillor in Hertfordshire has been appointed to Norwood’s Advisory Council. Rabbi Alan Plancey, 70, is Emeritus Rabbi at Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue, having been its Minister for 30 years. He is also a member of The Cabinet of the Chief Rabbi and represents Borehamwood North on Hertfordshire County Council, where he sits on the Cabinet Panels for Children's Services & Corporate Parenting and Education & Skills.

Residents from Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community for people with learning disabilities in Berkshire, played host to a team of sporting enthusiasts from Holland this week as they travelled to the UK for a special 7-a-side football tournament. Dutch side FC Meo, joined eight teams of other players with learning disabilities from west Berkshire, including two from Ravenswood, for the annual football competition at Cantley Park in Wokingham on Wednesday.

Residents of Ravenswood gave a right royal welcome to The Princess Royal as she visited the residential community for adults with learning disabilities yesterday, for a tour of its stables. The stables, which cater for both Ravenswood residents and riders from the wider community, are an affiliated member group of the Riding for the Disabled Association. Princess Anne, who first visited Ravenswood in 1972 and whose mother HM The Queen is Patron of Norwood, is President of the RDA.

A Norwood programme which support students with additional educational needs to develop key employment skills, has been highly praised following a recent external review.

Businesses are being called upon to help raise vital funds for worthy causes by entering corporate teams into this year’s Capital to Coast Cycle Challenge for Charity on Sunday, 10 July. Capital to Coast 2011 aims to raise an estimated £300,000 for three charities: Norwood; the Cystic Fibrosis Trust; and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Special Olympians from Ravenswood, Norwood’s residential community for adults with learning disabilities, returned home from a regional competition in Eastbourne on Sunday with an impressive haul of 20 medals. A group of 20 residents battled strong winds to win four golds, five silvers and nine bronzes in athletic events ranging from 50m to 800m on the track and long jump and shot put in the field.

Children, young people and young adults who use Norwood’s disability services marked Tu B’Shvat by raising money to help replace trees lost in the Mount Carmel forest fire. Members of Buckets & Spades, Unity and In-Betweeners made a wide variety of beautiful paper flowers as a way of celebrating the Jewish New Year of the Trees.

Norwood has welcomed an announcement by the Government that it is withdrawing its plans to remove the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. In a written statement to MPs, Work and Pensions Minister Maria Miller yesterday confirmed that the proposal will not be included in the upcoming Welfare Reform Bill. It would have affected up to 80,000 disabled people in care homes, including those supported by Norwood, who use the benefit to fund specialised transport to access community f

A group of young cyclists experienced the best of the Balkans as they traversed picturesque Adriatic coastline over the Bank Holiday weekend to raise £32,000 for Norwood. The 27 fundraisers joined Norwood staff and several adults who use its services for a four-day bike ride and trek through southern Croatia.

The Olympic Games is not just a matter of sport. This was the loose conclusion reached by a panel of experts at the sixth YN Lawyers Reception on Thursday, 30 June. Over 170 young lawyers attended the fundraising and networking event at the City offices of Goldman Sachs, raising an incredible £24,000 for Norwood’s vital services supporting adults with learning disabilities and children and families in need.

Brit-nominated singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner helped Norwood to raise £20,000 at its annual YN Media fundraising event last night. Newton, the winner of the Critics’ Choice Award at the 2010 Brits, was guest of honour at YN Unplugged at the London Film Museum. He was interviewed by Radio 1 entertainment presenter Natalie Jamieson before taking to the stage for an exclusive live performance for the 200 guests, many of whom were young professionals from the media industries.