Tyneside firm taking on the world with major contracts

Tyneside based sports travel and tour operator Nirvana Europe Ltd, based in North Shields are set to complete a very successful 2012 with two major contracts in the sports travel industry.

Headed by MD Ken Morris, the company has been building its reputation for over 10 years on the international triathlon scene, making sure elite athletes as well as participants get to and from the event City safely - so all they have to worry about it doing well in the event.

“For over a decade Nirvana Europe has been the Official Travel Partner to British Triathlon, taking Elite and participant level Great Britain teams to Championship events all over the world, including Canada, Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and China.” Said Ken, “and it was a great compliment to us and the work the whole team do when the Governing Body of the sport, the International Triathlon Union announced, in July, that Nirvana Europe will be the Official Travel Partner to the World Triathlon Championships, in London next year.”

The World Triathlon Championships is a huge event with over 5,000 athletes expected to compete.

To give the company, who employ ten full time staff, a further boost in this year of sport, Nirvana Europe signed a contract with the European Triathlon Union, making them the official travel partner for the European governing body.

“It was at a very apt time to sign the contract with the ETU” said Ken, “It was less than 24 hours after the Brownlee brothers were winning Olympic Gold and Bronze medals for Great Britain.

This success has brought the sport right into the public eye - watching as well as participating which can only be good for us.”

Renato Bertrandi, ETU President said “It is the aim of ETU to develop long term relationships with premium partners and Nirvana Europe is one of those partners.”

Nirvana Europe are also the Official Travel & Accommodation Partner to the Bupa Great Run Series, including the Bupa Great North Run and specialise  in taking  sportsmen and spectators to major sporting events all over the world.

“We are very proud that our team based on Tyneside is now receiving worldwide recognition as the World’s leading multi-sport travel company.” Said Ken.

The agreement will run until the end of 2013 and will see Nirvana provide  a consistent standard of cost effectiveness and excellence in travel and  accommodation to the European Triathlon Union.  Nirvana will also provide access to information through muli-lingual web pages to assist customers with their booking.

For more information on Nirvana Europe please contact Ed Tutty Communications on 07947348058 or info@etcomm.co.uk

http://www.nirvanaeurope.com/

www.etcomm.co.uk

S A D riders up for the challenge

Three riders are ready to take on the Durham Big Ride this weekend and at the same time help out stray dogs in Durham area.

Raising money for Stray Action for Dogs ( S A D), based at Deerness kennels in the City are  Alan Cutting and Helen Pinkney who work at the kennels and Mark Tallentire.

Durham Big Ride will see around 1,000 people take to the roads this Sunday (Sept. 2) and raising thousands of pounds for various charities and worthy causes.

The Durham Big Ride features three, ten and 25 mile routes that are set up to enjoy by everyone.

Alan, who is manager at the kennels is happy that all the money raised is going to the dogs: “ We have quite a bit of money from our friends and through the justgiving site and when the two local firms said they would pay for the ‘S A D Team’ t- shirts we were very pleased indeed. It means that we will be seen by all of the people there and who we are riding for.”

Helen, Alan and Mark with Rosie from the S A D Kennels 

 “The shirts sponsors, Fat Buddha restaurant and Workwear Express, will also be helping with donations to the cause”. Added Alan.

The Durham Big Ride starts at 9.30am. Some places will be available on the day, but organisers are advising people to sign up in advance at durhambigride.co.uk

The Beast, the ride’s 50-mile route, will take place 9am on Sunday, September 9.

To sponsor the Stray Action for Dogs team, visit https://www.justgiving.com/durhambigride-carolynbudd

Big Energy Making a Big Difference to Renovations

Big Energy has made a BIG difference to the lighting on a major renovation up in Northumberland that should see the running costs of lighting up this fabulous home cut by around 50% in the years ahead.

The Sunderland –based LED lighting supplier was on hand when Charlie Holt, owner of Little Warwick was undertaking a major refurbishment on the historic property site of Milecastle 28, Hadrian’s Wall.

“With a complete renovation, I had the chance to spec new lighting. I wanted to choose LED for energy-saving. And, from a design-perspective, it was great to work with experts who could source to compliment our architectural styling – we wanted a modern look, but substantial (which you don’t get with halogen ‘dazzlers’). We ended up with something tailored in manufacturing.” Said Charlie after inspecting the lights in all of their glory.

Although Big Energy was confident in meeting their clients exacting brief, other contractors were not so sure: “My electrician was sceptical, but they were won over by the results. And, our visitors have been well and truly ‘wow’d’. Of all the praise we’ve had for the place, the lighting has really been noticed. It’s a bright light, but not a harsh light.”

Gordon Angus from Big Energy, who supply low-energy LED both locally and nationally said they were more than happy with the end result at Milecastle 28:

“We knew Charlie had an exact plan as to how he wanted the area to be when it came to the lighting.  We also knew that, not only could we supply what he wanted but that the running costs will be significantly cut using the state-of- the art fittings we have put in place.  We are confident that Charlie will save in the region of 70%  on his energy bills over the coming months”.

Big Energy is looking to expand their work this year bringing low-cost energy to work places and commercial areas across the country. “It is quite simple really” said Gordon “we supply lights and fitting at a competitive price and the customer keeps saving via their energy bills for years to come”.

Big Energy has worked hard to develop their reputation for supply good quality, state the art lighting that gives great light and great savings for commercial properties, social housing or private dwellings. 

Why am I doing the Durham Big Ride?

Just one of the many reason why people get on their bikes in Durham in September

Around 6 years ago our son Taylan was diagnosed with having severe Autism. At that time Taylan was finding it really difficult to relate to the world going on around him......he was unable to communicate his needs & what is normally an easy transition from toddler to little boy was a complete up-heaval for our little man. We never gave up hope that things would somehow improve as the years passed by. Around the end of 2009 while searching for help to make Taylan's life more tolerable we came across the Son-Rise program. This organisation has high levels of success bringing children through their state of autism. After attending a seminar in the UK, we were totally convinced by what we had seen, and like every other set of parents, we wanted our child to fulfil his potential. Without special intervention, Taylan’s future is extremely limited. The success rate of the Son-Rise program instils hope in us for his freedom from this condition. It is difficult for us to understand fully the issue of autism and reversing it in Taylan, but we are diligently trying to do so for the sake of his future.

I n October 2010 we set up a playroom in our house and we started on the son-rise program. In January 2011 I went to London for a week of start up training with Anita, Taylan's school 1:1 worker. From then until now we have worked on the principals of son-rise with Taylan and some fantastic volunteers that work with him.

We have witnessed so many changes in Taylan's life that we had only dreamed about until we started this program, all of which you can read about on his web page. www.helpingtaylan.co.uk or search on facebook for Taylan's awesome Son Rise journey.

This September Taylan, Mum and Dad  are travelling to Autism Treatment Centre of America to complete  our intensive training. this will give us and subsequently our volunteers the relevant skills to reach our end goal for Taylan.

 

To financially aid this trip we've had various fundraising events, such as a 80's/90's disco, Race Night, Coffee Mornings, Car boot sales, a sponsored bike ride, a Karaoke night and a pamper party.  We now have a team of 11 people doing the Durham Big bike ride and 3 people completing the Beast. All of these lovely, kind people will be getting sponsorship to help with our fundraising. We also have Angela Robertson running the Great North Run for us. If you are able to help in any way please go onto our website and get in touch.

Have a fantastic day at the Durham Big Ride and The Beast, thank you for reading about our very special boy.
Lucy & David Horsley

Not long to Go...

Dear All,
Well, we are just about there! Just a matter of a couple of weeks now before the 6^th – and best – Durham Big Ride and Beast get underway.
With all the excitement about cycling this year: the Tour de France win of Bradley Wiggins, the success of the GBR riders in the Olympics, we have seen a few more people interested in the event - but the more the merrier!
The majority of the numbers have gone out now to the good people who have signed up early – but there is still time!
We may be getting close to our limit so I would suggest that you sign up as soon as possible and not to ‘try your luck on the day’. There may well be some numbers left on the day but no guarantees.
Well some good news for us at HQ in that a great business based in Durham has come on board as a partner. Whitfield Building Services, who took part in last year’s event, were so impressed with the whole event that they wanted to be a part of it.
We have worked with Kevin Whitfield, the MD of the company, and branded up the Little Ride as ‘in association with Whitfield Building Services Gas Care UK’. For those who don’t know, the Little Ride riders are the ones that cheer the main group out of the gates before having a great time in the parkland around County Hall playing all sorts of games around the three mile course.
So it is a big welcome to them and we hope that the partnership continues in the coming years.
After some requests for an official photographer for the event we have enlisted the services of Ragsdale Photography:

Ragsdale Photography will capture your achievement of finishing the Durham Big Ride. They will take your photo with your medal in the finish area and, what’s more, you will be able to purchase your photo and take it away with you.

Images are printed onsite to a size of 8 inches by 6 inches and are put into a mount. Price of photos are £8.00 each or two for £15.00. Images will also be put on their website and can be purchased from there as well.

The stand will be along the finish line – just after the collection points of the t-shirts and goodie bags.

Hetton Hawks, the cycling club that have been great supporters of DBR since it started, have changed their challenge for this year.

They will be bringing along some rollers to have a competition for everyone. It will be a ‘sprint’ on the rollers and there will be a couple of prizes on hand for the winners.

Finally, when you come to the Big Ride on the Sunday, look out for Mark Tallentire from the Northern Echo. He tells us that he has been working hard to make sure he can enjoy the event and see all that this great event has to offer. Mark will be riding for Stray Action for Dogs (S A D) who look after stray and abandoned dogs in the Durham area.

Finally, if you have any questions please look at the website: www.durhambigride.co.uk there is lots of information about the event on there as well as application forms. So, keep watching facebook and twitter for last minute news and information about both days.

All the team at Durham Big Ride look forward to seeing you soon.

Durham City firm gets on board Durham Big Ride.

Whitfield Building Services have put their name to the Durham Big Ride after taking part last year!

Kevin Whitfield took part in the 25 mile ‘fun ride’ that takes riders out to the Northwest of the City and was bowled over with the organisation and the people taking part.

“We came along after hearing about the good time friends had doing the Durham Big Ride” Kevin said, “We were so impressed with everything that went on during the day that we made a decision to get more involved with a great community event in Durham City.  We always want to get involved with the City community and this is a fabulous opportunity to do just that”

Whitfield Building Services have decided to team up with the Little Ride, where the youngsters get the chance to ride around the parkland at County Hall while at the same time getting some cycle tips from Alan Kennedy from Durham County Council Road Safety Department.

Colin Wilkes, Event Director was more than pleased with the addition of another local business:  “More than anything else, the Durham Big Ride gives youngsters the opportunity to be involved with a mass participation event, something that doesn’t happen too often.  To have this recognised and supported by Whitfield Building Services is a great boost to us at Durham Big Ride.”

Durham Big Ride takes place on Sunday September 2 with 3, 10 and 25 mile routes.  The following week, the 50 mile Beast takes to the roads.  For more information log onto

www.durhambigride.co.uk or info@durhambigride.co.uk

Mayor of Durham to give a hand to Heel & Toe

The Mayor of the City of Durham is looking to help one of his chosen charities this year by encouraging people to sign up and ride for them in this year’s Durham Big Ride.

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, Councillor John Wilkinson has Heel & Toe as one of the causes he is supporting in his year of office. 

Councillor Wilkinson said "I chose Heel & Toe as one of my deserving charities because of the skill and hard work of all staff and volunteers of this local children’s charity as they offer free conductive education to children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and other motor disorders. The charity not only helps the children in their care but aids their parents too.  An organisation which treats each child as a special individual deserves anyone’s support".

Heel & Toe have just recently moved into offices in Durham City but have taken part in the Durham Big Ride before.

Colin Wilkes, Durham Big Ride, Mayor of Durham John Wilkinson and Doug

Long from Heel & Toe

Doug Long, Charity Manager said: “Heel & Toe are always looking for ideas and ways of, not only raising money, but to raise our profile and the work we do.  The Durham Big Ride lets us do both of these and we are more than happy that the Mayor of the City has chosen us in his year in office. 
The event is our 'local' and we have people training for the day in September, despite the weather, and we will all have a great time!”

Durham Big Ride, now in its sixth year, is going from strength to strength and is looking to have more cyclists then ever joining in the two rides that make up the event.

Colin Wilkes, one of the Directors of the event is confident of a fun day out for all:  “As previous years, we will have a great number of people using both the Durham Big Ride and The Beast not only to get a little more fitter and to enjoy a day out on bikes with family and friends but also to raise money for their own particular worthy cause.  We positively encourage all riders to think about using the day to raise the profile of a charity just as Heel & Toe have done.”

The Durham Big Ride this year is on Sunday 2 September and starts and finishes at Durham County hall.  The Beast is a week later and starts from Sniperley Park and Ride to the west of Durham City.

Entries are £17 per adult with £5 for children.  All information can be seen on the website: www.durhambigride.co.uk with any charities wanting to take part should contact the event on info@durhambigride.co.uk for details.