Staff have designs on raising cash for Josie
Feb 7 2007 By Paul James Chief Reporter, The Journal
A North design firm has installed its own office gym, where workers are slimming down to boost The Journal's Josie Grove appeal.
Staff at Newcastle-based One Best Way have just moved into new offices and have been heading down to the basement during their lunch breaks to shed the pounds.
And after reading of leukaemia sufferer Josie's inspirational decision to give up her treatment and make the most of her time left with her family, they are raising cash for our appeal.
Managing director Mike Owen has placed piggy banks around the office, in the Boiler House on Hoults Estate, off the Walker Road, where clients and visitors can donate to the fund. And after February and March, Mike will count out the cash and the firm will double the money that staff have raised.
Twenty three stone Journal columnist David Banks is doing a sponsored slim to spearhead our Josie Grove Appeal, which has raised more than £8,000 already.
David, 58, of Crookham, Northumberland, was moved to tears after reading how Josie, of Princes Street, Corbridge, has decided to forego further leukaemia treatment after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants, to spend the time she has left with her family.
Yesterday Mike said he hoped to raise between £500 and £1,000 for the fund.
One Best Way's clients include Newcastle's Blackfriars restaurant, which is already on board for the Josie appeal, even serving the 16-year-old's favourite dish on its menu. Mike said: "This is something we're very pleased to be associated with and we're looking to raise as much money as possible. We've just moved offices and we've got a massive basement where we're putting a little gym.
"There's 10 of us using it, some want to get more toned, some want to get bigger, some want to get smaller. We've got piggy banks around the office where people can read about what we're doing and whatever we end up with at the end of the two months we're going to double."
But staff at the firm will have to exercise as much willpower as muscles - their office is notorious among clients for the sweets and treats on offer to visitors. Mike added: "I'm one of these people who joins gyms then doesn't go. But this is only 50 yards away. It's a great incentive to get off our backsides and also to link up with the Josie appeal."
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How you can help
The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.
There are two ways you can do your bit to help:
Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form here and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.
OR:
Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.
We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a sponsored bungee jump.
Please contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.
Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.
Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk
You may send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle, NE99 1ET.
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Every penny counts
Donations to The Journal's Josie Grove Appeal are continuing to arrive, with the total now standing at £8,178.19.
