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Cod almighty!

Truly, we live in a mad, mad, mad world. How else can you explain an East Midlands-based chippy lobbying Parliament? Yet, that is what is happening at George’s Tradition, which is once again campaigning for St George’s Day to be made a public holiday. And this year, they’re determined to really make an impact by taking their petition straight to the top with the support of Erewash MP Jessica Lee who is 100 per cent behind the cause.

On Monday (9 May) at 2pm, George’s Tradition’s managing director Andrew Constantinou, and Helen Young from George’s Tradition’s marketing team, will be meeting Erewash MP Jessica Lee at Westminster, and presenting the petition – which currently has signatures from more than 3,000 of their customers – to Number 10 Downing Street. MP Jessica Lee will also be presenting the petition to parliament later that day.

Record breakers

Hats off to staff at law firm Freeth Cartwright who have raised a massive £30,000 for the charity Anthony Nolan, exceeding the target originally set at £25,000.

The charity was chosen in memory of one of their young solicitors, Paul Richardson, who died in 2009 aged just 30. Paul had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), which is an aggressive form of cancer affecting the production of white blood cells in the body’s bone marrow.

Over the year, Freeth Cartwright staff have participated in countless events. Sporting events have included the Marrow run, the Great Manchester Run, Nottingham Marathon and Half Marathon and the Royal Parks Half Marathon, cycling, walking, dragon boating, ladies' football and rounders. Personal records were broken. Solicitor Polly Wisner ran her first marathon; solicitor David Lane ran 100 miles in the last 12 months, while partner Murray Macnab completed 100 miles of running, cycling and walking.

Toby hug

It’s the morning after the night before at East Midlands Dealmakers, and we’ve never had such a mad run-up to the big day. On Tuesday morning, we were told that our original speaker has to pull out, leaving us just 24 hours to arrange a replacement. Into the breach, somewhat like a white knight, stepped GINEM business development manager Tony Reid. We rang him up, and asked him whether he’d take on the job. "Give me an hour to think about it," he said. Two minutes later Toby rang back to say he would. What a trooper!"