Published: October 10, 2022 | Updated: 11th October 2022
Mel & Kim hit the road as carpool karaoke returns
Charity duo Mel Ward and Kim Fudge are hoping to raise thousands as they hit the road again with their carpool karaoke.
They’re singing their hearts out throughout October for Breast Cancer Now and Dorchester County Hospital as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Five years ago Mel and Kim spent 12 months driving around Weymouth in Kim’s car, singing the favourite tunes of people making donations.
It raised £10,000 for the charity CLIC Sargent, now known as Young Lives vs. Cancer.
Artists featured included Elvis, Dolly Parton, the B52s and Abba.
The duo were in fancy dress and welcomed the occasional special guest including a local farmer and Wessex FM.
This year’s charity effort is especially personal as breast cancer has affected a number of Mel and Kim’s friends as well as Mel who was diagnosed in November 2021.
They particularly want to raise awareness of this form of cancer and encourage women to check their breasts and attend the NHS breast screening scheme that starts as women hit 50 years old.
Mel said: “If breast cancer is diagnosed early the survival rate is much higher.
“Dorset cancer care is one of the best in the UK and once diagnosed patients are treated quickly and empathetically by all those involved in local cancer care.
“We want to raise money to support the work carried out by Breast Cancer Now and Dorchester County Hospital to make sure more women are made aware of the early signs of breast cancer and can be treated with the best care.”
To post a request and make a donation please go to the Just Giving page here.
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Key new appointments at employee relations consultancy
An employee relations consultancy has expanded its team with two key new appointments.
John Stembridge-King MBE and Deborah West have joined Christchurch-based Okana Limited as Consultant Employee Relations Specialists.
John, pictured left, who is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) IPD, brings 30 years’ experience as a senior HR and employee relations manager with significant experience in industrial relations within the aviation sector.
Deborah, pictured right, has a wealth of experience as a former employment lawyer with more than 20 years under her belt, latterly as Head of Employment at a Bournemouth-based law firm.
She has worked in partnership with HR professionals and senior management teams on everything from change management to complex employee relations issues.
During the last two decades, Deborah has supported a diverse range of employers, from multi-national corporates to schools and charities.
John, Deborah and Nathan Andrews make up the firm’s Client Delivery Team.
Nathan, pictured left, leads the team in his role as Managing Director but also heads the firm’s specialist investigation, mediation and conflict resolution services.
John, drawing on his extensive trade union experience, leads the employee and industrial relations consultancy service, while Deborah heads up change and exit programmes.
Founded in 2017, Okana supports company directors, business owners and HR teams through practical employee relations advice and blended HR services, including employee relations support, investigations, mediation, and conflict resolution.
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New Sydney office for Rayner Jones Employment Lawyers
A Dorset employment law specialist has opened a new office in Sydney, Australia.
Rayner Jones Employment Lawyers says the opening is through its Australian sister company, Rayner Jones Employment Law Pty Ltd.
A number of the firm’s clients, including Systech International Group, bdh Sterling Ltd and Eight Wealth Management Ltd, operate in both the UK and Australia as well as across Europe, Singapore and other countries.
Rayner Jones, Solicitor/Director, pictured left, said: “The UK-Australia free trade agreement has given a big boost to the trading relationship between the two countries.
“Record numbers of companies are wanting to set up a business in the other country or appoint an agent/distributor or a local employee or contractor.
“By having offices in Sydney and London – as well as Christchurch here on the South Coast – we can help Australian and other companies do business here in the UK and also help UK companies do business in Australia.”
Rayner Jones Employment Lawyers is based at Aviation Business Park in Christchurch.
