Leicestershire-based charity Freeva are calling on local businesses to join them as corporate ambassadors and help deliver vital support to survivors of domestic abuse across the county.

Freeva specialise in delivering support to those impacted by domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Their services include helping those living through domestic abuse with recovery, providing specialist ongoing counselling to victims, breaking cycles of abuse by working with perpetrators to change their behaviour, and educating young people on the importance of building safe and respectful relationships.

Now, Freeva have issued an appeal to local businesses to help them continue their important work, either with a one-off donation or through monthly sponsorship.

The charity relies solely on donations and funding to deliver their services, and have said that corporate ambassadors are hugely instrumental in allowing them to continue reaching and supporting survivors, alongside continuing their preventative programme, The Jenkins Project, and providing youth support with their YP Project.

In return for their support, Freeva offer ambassadors promotional opportunities, fundraising campaign partnerships, and ambassador certification.  

Suki Kaur, Chief Executive of Freeva, said: “Domestic abuse doesn’t just impact the victims, it impacts entire communities. As much as we try, we simply don’t have the resources to help every person in need, which is why we urgently need corporate ambassadors to help us reach more victims and deliver potentially life-saving support.

“Corporate ambassadors can also play a pivotal role in helping us to end the stigma surrounding domestic abuse by showing solidarity and compassion for survivors. You don’t need to have been affected by domestic abuse yourself to help, it can affect anyone and we all have a responsibility to stand with them, support them, and help them to rebuild their lives.”

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.1 million people aged 16 years and over (1.4 million women and 751,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023.

Sixteen of Europe’s most talented disabled golfers are ready to fly to the USA to compete in their version of the Ryder Cup after an East Midlands marketing agency signed up as their sponsor.

The team, which consists of golfers from across the continent, including England, Scotland, Denmark and Germany, have been selected to play in the Cairns Cup, an annual transatlantic contest which pits Europe against a team from the United States.

The Cairns Cup is disability golf’s premier matchplay event and, just like the Ryder Cup, it sees players slug it out over three days with a four-ball, foursomes and singles rounds.

The event is taking place at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Detroit at the end of July, with the USA defending their title, which they picked up at 2022’s event, which took place at The Shire London, in Barnet.

Although the golfers play to a high standard, they have to rely on funding to compete, meaning that they need to attract sponsorship to meet the cost of taking part.

Among the firms helping them to pay their way is South Normanton marketing agency Purpose Media, which has contributed towards their costs and air fares, giving them a huge boost in their preparations.

It has also helped organise a fundraising golf day at Morley Hayes, in Morley, on May 9, where local businesses will be invited to play alongside members of the Cairns Cup team, so they can understand the challenges that they have to overcome in order to complete a round of golf.

The event, which is being held in partnership with the Cairns Cup and S O’Brien Heating Solutions, which is based on Pride Park, will begin at 9am and will cost £400 for a team of four.

The Cairns Cup was established in 2018 when former soldier and disabled golfer Kevin Booth and fellow players decided to set up a Ryder Cup-style competition in memory of a friend, Billy Cairns, who died during a previous Europe vs USA disabled golf event called the Phoenix Cup.

Six years on, the Europeans are putting out an experienced team featuring players with a range of disabilities, including amputees, paralysis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s.

The team is captained by Netherlands player Tineke Loogman, who was born with one arm, and its players include Kris Aves, who was left paralysed when, while serving with the Metropolitan Police, he was run over by a terrorist driving a stolen van in the Westminster Bridge attacks of 2007, and Trevor Crombie, who has cerebral palsy.

The event has grown in stature every time it has taken place and Kevin, who is now vice president of the European team, says everyone is looking forward to flying to the States to avenge last year’s defeat.

He said: “We’re so grateful to Purpose Media for supporting us and for sharing our philosophy that the game of golf is for everyone and everyone deserves the opportunity to play it.

“All of our players have had to overcome challenges and have all got stories that will touch your heart, but when people see them play they are amazed by their ability with the golf club and the way they refuse to let their disability stop them from getting out onto a golf course.

“This will be my last Cairns Cup event I will be organising so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a huge undertaking and we’re confident that we can win this time round.”

Matt Wheatcroft, managing director of Purpose Media, is a keen golfer himself, but has a very personal reason for wanting to support the Cairns Cup European team.

He said: “When I was 19 I suffered an injury while playing football and nearly had to have my foot amputated, and more recently, while on holiday I fell and broke my neck and was inches away from being left paralysed.

“So when I first saw these incredible Cairns Cup golfers I thought ‘that could have been me’, but I was totally unprepared for how incredible they are and what they’ve had to overcome.

“We’re really proud to be sponsoring the team and we’re confident that there will be a good turn-out at the golf day. Even if they’re not a super-keen golfer, no-one can fail to be amazed at what these guys achieve and playing against them is extremely inspirational.”

A town centre regeneration project has been completed, revitalising the area for local businesses and residents and enhancing community space.

Shepshed’s Market Place in Leicestershire is now a versatile and pedestrian-friendly environment, following work undertaken by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard. The improvements, which are set to boost trade and increase footfall in the region, include new car parking spaces, seating, bicycle parking facilities and an array of trees and plantings.

Pavements in Market Place and along nearby Brook Street have also been upgraded and expanded, with soft landscaping elements implemented to increase accessibility and reinforce visual identity in the town centre.

The transformation forms part of a wider set of public realm works by Charnwood Borough Council, which will enable the town centre to host new events and market stalls.

The work, which has been several years in the making, saw Pick Everard deliver project and cost management services via Perfect Circle and the SCAPE Consultancy direct award framework, designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects.

Matt Hall, director at Pick Everard, said: “It’s fantastic to see the transformation of Shepshed’s Market Place complete, which will generate increased footfall for local businesses. Improving our high streets and public spaces is vital to ensure they suit the way we live our lives today.

“The scheme has placed accessibility and flexibility at the fore to ensure the space can be used for a variety of purposes, including town centre events that will turn Shepshed into a destination offering.

“The work undertaken was both challenging and rewarding, with collaboration and engagement with project partners and the community ensuring any disruption was kept to a minimum in a live working environment. We look forward to watching the space evolve as a modern town centre that benefits residents and visitors alike.”

The Market Place renovation also coincides with improvements to the local Bull Ring, Hall Croft and Field Street.

The scheme, known as the Shepshed Town Centre Masterplan, is led by Charnwood Borough Council, working alongside Shepshed Town Council and Shepshed Town Team.

Cllr Jewel Miah, leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “It is so pleasing to see this project completed and it has made the area a much more attractive place for people.

“We have worked closely with the town council and the town team in consultation with local businesses and residents throughout the process and I hope these improvements will have a positive impact on the town.

“The area is now better for residents and is much more accessible and safer.”