Category: Organisations

1. NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY APPEAL RAFFLE AND MUSEUM REOPENING PLANS

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 10th Mar 2021

   The National Motorcycle Museum team wants to thank everyone who has given to both of our Covid-19 appeal raffles over the last year. As promised, following the recent announcement of HM Government’s “roadmap” out of restrictions, the funds raised are being used directly for the purpose of reopening the museum to visitors.

   At the present time, and if the “roadmap” goes to plan, we intend to reopen the museum to visitors on Monday 17th May 2021.

   INITIAL OPENING FROM MAY 2021.

   Restrictions permitting, the museum collection, shop and restaurant will reopen on Monday 17th May 2021. Please visit www.thenmm.co.uk for further updates including opening hours.

   HELP US TO RETURN TO NORMAL 7 DAY OPENING.

   Whilst the funds raised so far will allow us to reopen in a limited way on 17/05/21, at the time of writing we have still only raised just over half of our original £500k reopening target.

   As from Monday 21st June 2021, we would like to return to our normal 7 day a week opening hours.

   Therefore we want to remind everyone about our ‘Museum Triumph over Adversity Recovery Appeal Raffle” which will help us achieve that aim.

   Details of this important appeal can be seen below, and special thanks must go to our friends at Triumph Motorcycles for donating the brand new 2021 Triumph Trident 660 as a first prize.

   1st Prize: Brand new 2021 Triumph Trident 660cc motorcycle.

   Stunning new model donated by our friends at Triumph Motorcycles.

   2nd Prize: 1978 Triumph Trident T160 750cc motorcycle.

   Low mileage and only one previous owner.

   3rd Prize: 1956 Triumph Tiger T100 500cc motorcycle.

   Fresh from restoration in the museum’s workshop.

   Images of all three prizes are attached for media use.

   The prize draw for the “Triumph Over Adversity” appeal raffle will take place on Friday 25th June 2021 at The National Motorcycle Museum. Tickets cost £6.00 each and can be purchased online by visiting www.thenmm.co.uk

   COVID-19 ROADMAP.

   Like the rest of the UK, we are hoping that HM Government’s “roadmap” out of the current pandemic goes to plan, according to the dates set out. 

   However, given the ongoing uncertainty, we will regularly update reopening details on our website www.thenmm.co.uk and our social media channels.

    

   
   

    

2. Ben launches fast-track access to digital mental health platform

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Jan 2021

   Today on Blue Monday, automotive charity Ben is launching fast-track access to its digital mental and wellbeing platform, offering immediate support to those in need. On a day hailed as the most depressing of the year, Ben is giving automotive people the ability to sign up free to access online digital support for their mental health and wellbeing.

3. RSTA response to Spending Review and National Infrastructure Strategy

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th Nov 2020

   The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s emphasis on the need for a well-maintained local road network.

    

   The National Infrastructure Strategy, launched today (25^th November 2020)  by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of his Spending Review, underlined how “well maintained local roads allow for faster and reliable journeys, boosting local businesses and serving all road users.”

    

   The Strategy confirms the Government commitment of £1.125 billion of local roads maintenance funding in 2021-22 including £500 million for the Potholes Fund to fix potholes and surface roads. This will be supported by £260 million allocated to Local Authorities in 2021-22 for shovel ready local transport schemes through the Integrated Transport Block, including public transport and active travel upgrades. The government is also investing £310 million in 2021-22 in upgrading the road network. Altogether, this means that the government is investing £1.7 billion in local roads in 2021-22.

    

   “Whilst the additional £500 million funding is not new, having already been highlighted in the March budget, the government’s commitment to maintaining the capital maintenance block allocation for improving the local road network, despite the significant public borrowing costs of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, is welcomed and represents a significant overall increase,” said Paul Boss, RSTA chief executive. “We will continue to work with both national and local government to ensure proactive cost effective investment in, what the National Infrastructure Strategy rightly calls, ‘one of the UK’s most valuable public assets.’

4. BEN ISSUES RALLYING CRY AFTER STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT RECORD DEMAND WITH FALLING INCOME

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Nov 2020

   • Ben’s urgent support appeal to ensure no-one faces life's toughest challenges alone
   • The charity is supporting 50% more people while its income falls by £1m
   • Without additional funding, difficult choices may have to be made about which cases to support 

   Ben is making an urgent 'rallying cry' to automotive industry leaders as it faces a 50% increase in demand for services against a £1m income shortfall, following the cancellation of fundraising events including Ben Ball. Without additional funding, Ben may be forced to make difficult decisions about which cases to support. 

   Covid-19 is having an unprecedented impact on the health and wellbeing of the automotive workforce. More and more people are turning to Ben in financial hardship, or are struggling to cope with mental health issues and other life challenges including bereavement. 

   The letter (pictured) from Ben’s Chief Executive, Zara Ross, and Chair of the Board, Steve Nash, outlines how the industry can help ensure no-one faces life’s challenges alone. This letter is also being sent directly to industry leaders, as an urgent plea for support.
   
   Ben is asking companies to pledge to do three things:

   The pledge
   

   1. Be an advocate for Ben, ensuring the message of support is promoted widely within their business so everyone knows they are never alone
   2. Encourage colleagues to support Ben through Payroll Giving, Ben’s Big Weekly Lottery and its fundraising products and events
   3. Dig even deeper as a business to help address the £1m shortfall. 

   To show your support, email now via [email protected] or call 01344 298135. 

   Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “This is an urgent situation that we’re facing - our support teams are at breaking point, with more cases than ever before and we don't see that changing. 

   “The issues people are facing are more complex and more urgent than we have ever seen before. If we're unable to fill this funding shortfall then we may not be able to support everyone who turns to us for help. That could have a life-changing impact on someone in your business. 

   “The automotive industry is like a family, we have to look after each other. People will remember what the leaders of our industry do in a time of crisis and I urge everyone to consider how you can help ensure Ben is there for everyone, no matter what. 

   "Amazingly, we have already received pledges for donations of more than £65,000 on the first day of this campaign. Every donation makes a huge difference to people's lives and we'll be celebrating each and every one publicly over the coming weeks. Thank you to those who have already pledged their support.”

5. USEFULNESS OF POTHOLE AUDIT QUESTIONED

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 29th Aug 2020

   The Road Surface Treatment Association (RSTA) has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) proposed pothole mapping audit and hopes sufficient funds to carry out maintenance and repairs will be forthcoming.

    

   DfT has announced that it will work with local authorities, highway data and mapping company Gaist and on-road businesses such as Deliveroo, Uber, Tesco and Ocado to identify pothole hot spots. This will be first-of-its kind audit of potholes in England. It aims to direct where action against potholes is most needed.

    

   “The DfT initiative to provide a comprehensive nation-wide map of potholes is to be welcomed,” said Paul Boss, RSTA Chief Executive. “However, a map telling where the potholes are will be of little use if local authorities do not have the funds to fix them.”

    

   Since 2010 the government has provided over £1.2 billion solely to help repair potholes on the local road network, however, Boss points out that the latest Asphalt Industry Alliance Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey (ALARM) estimated that it would take 11 years and cost £11.4bn.

    

   “The additional pothole funding equates to £120 million a year and that falls far short of the funding necessary to address the plague of potholes resulting from decades of under investment in the local road network,” said Boss. “Furthermore, the proposed audit is reactive. Whilst we have to fill potholes in the short term, local authorities need certainty of long term funding to ensure they can plan and programme road maintenance that will prevent potholes from forming in the first place.”