Childrens PR
INAUGURAL VERVE CHARITY GALA BALL RAISES OVER £10,000 FOR MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
INAUGURAL VERVE CHARITY GALA BALL RAISES OVER £10,000 FOR MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
A TIME FOR DRIVEN PEOPLE TO GIVE BACK
- Female entrepreneur and cofounder of Verve Rally, Darshana Ubl raises over £10,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Tessy of Luxembourg supports the event based on female empowerment
- Darshana believes in the principles of hard work, commitment to a cause and making the world a better place by giving back
Verve Rally, the luxurious adventure travel experience hosted their inaugural fundraising Gala Ball on 29th November at The Bloomsbury Ballroom in London, raising over £10,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.
The Verve Gala Ball raises funds for established charities based in England and Wales. The Gala and Verve’s other charitable activities are the initiative of Darshana Ubl, the co-founder of Verve Rally. Darshana is a spokesperson for business on BBC News, an investor, and has been the driving force behind several businesses. She believes in the principles of hard work, commitment to a cause and making the world a better place.
Over 120 guests were treated to a champagne reception, a three-course meal, wine, fundraising and live entertainment by DJ Joshua, Monroe and Benjamin in a sumptuous and luxurious atmosphere. Guests included Tessy Antony of Luxembourg, Ververs (Verve Rally participants who are travel and car enthusiasts), along with some of UK’s leading business leaders, political heads, influencers and all-round cool people who enjoy a good work-life balance and giving back.
Channel 4 were also filming for a new TV programme about fashion designer Ian Stuart. The series will feature Darshana Ubl and her amazing wardrobe.
Darshana Ubl says of the event: “Memories are one thing that cannot be taken from us. It has been a pleasure to raise funds for Make A Wish foundation to help put a smile on the faces of terminally ill children”.
“ No effort towards others remains unrewarded” – Tessy of Luxembourg
Make-A-Wish Foundation grant terminally-ill children their One True Wish, providing hope for the future, strength to cope and resilience to fight their condition. They’re given quality time away from the daily realities of living with their condition and have the chance to make magical memories they can treasure forever – whatever their future may hold.
Natasha Dubash, Regional Fundraising Manager for Make-A-Wish Foundation, said:
“We are thrilled that Verve Rally have chosen to support Make-A-Wish through their Charity Gala this November. I am sure that the event will be a huge success, raising funds for Make-A-Wish and enabling us to help grant more magical wishes for children and young people living with life-threatening conditions. The funds raised from this event will go towards making more children’s magical wishes come true. We are so grateful for the support.”
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Media Information:
For further press information regarding products and images please contact Siobhan Connor at Connor PR / 07966 177025 / Siobhan@connorpr.com
Join the conversation
#VerveCharity
#VerveRally
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Verve Rally’s fundraising
Darshana Ubl biography
Darshana Ubl is a serial entrepreneur who believes in blending her passion with work to create businesses that are aligned to one’s overall values and goals.
She is the co-founder of Verve Rally, which specialises in luxury adventure holidays with GT/Supercars and also a property development company.
She has been involved in fund raising for several charities including Cherie Blair Foundation, Princes Trust, PATT foundation and now Make A Wish. Darshana Ubl has a Masters Degree in Economics and is based in London.
and what they mean to children and young people and their families. We would ask that this approach is followed and that the term ‘life-threatening conditions’ is used in material for publication.
Connor PR and Verve Rally, Connor PR specialist in charity PR, Connor PR and Make-A-Wish Foundation
Nadiya Hussain is supporting ‘Be School Ready’, PTA UK’s national campaign to help families with children starting school in September
Exclusive interview with The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain
Nadiya Hussain is supporting ‘Be School Ready’, PTA UK’s national campaign to help families with children starting school in September. The Be School Ready magazines, produced by PTA UK, which is also celebrating its 60th year, have been distributed providing both practical and emotional support for parents, carers and children so they can start school life with confidence.
http://www.pta.org.uk/BeSchoolReady
Get your kids making their healthy after school snacks as well as eating them! Nadiya’s Bake Me a Story is a book of recipes and stories devised and written by Nadiya herself. Cook up a batch of Carrot and Nutmeg Cookies on a Sunday afternoon and share the story of Rapunzel’s Enchanted Carrots while the cookies bake or read about Ruby-Red and the Three Bears and their Very Berry Muffins while you wait for your own to rise! Nadiya’s Bake Me a Story publishes 8th September 2016 in hardback, priced £14.99
As a mother of three very lively children it is safe to say that I have had my fair share of ‘mum I’m starving’ ‘how long before dinner?’, I’m so hungry’, ‘please can I have a crisp?’, ‘if I can’t have crisp, can I have a small biscuit?’. Whether you have one child, three like me or more, I know it’s the worst feeling trying to decide whether your child should have a snack or should I just let them have whatever they want. If not to just keep them quiet before dinner but ease your own guilt.
I spent years wondering what the right thing was to do during that very intense time between school pick up and dinner time. I will not lie, there have been times where I have just given the kids the easiest option, a packet of crisps, a small bar of chocolate, a biscuit (or two). But I noticed that the kids were like yoyos. After school the kids slumped, tired and exhausted from the day. They walk through the door and as I rush around they have a quick sweet treat and they are then the polar opposite, high as kites, excitable before the inevitable sugar crash to follow.
A few years ago I decided that I needed to overhaul my eating habits along with the kids. I just couldn’t do the constant peak and trough that come with lots of sugar all day long. Better eating habits didn’t mean taking everything away, it just meant eating sugar in moderation and incorporating more fruit and vegetables where possible. I thought it would be a difficult change to make when in fact the transition was the opposite of our sugar crashes and slumps. The transition was smooth.
One of the first things I knew I had to tackle was the time between school pick up and dinner. Upon picking the children up my first question is always ‘how was your day?’ and all three kids always respond with ‘Great, what’s for dinner?’ One of my first tips is that I always take a bottle of water (not chilled). I find children are weary of drinking chilled water because it’s cold and harder to drink quickly. So I take a bottle of water at room temperature and allow them to drink to their fill as soon as I see them. I never believe my children when I’ve asked them if they’ve drunk lots of water through the day. What I like to address is the fact that they may just be very thirsty.
As a fruitier alternative to plain water I like to have water bottles with wide necks and to this I add slices of oranges, kiwi and strawberries and leave it to infuse during the day and take that with me on the school run. Once they have drunk all the water they can finish the fruit inside too.
In between sorting the children, preparing for dinner, finishing emails and doing laundry, I always have a few snacks that I have pre prepared or snacks that can be quickly made. Here is a list of a few of our favourites:
- Frozen Yoghurt – small pots of yoghurt, I just pierce a lolly pop stick through the covering and stick the whole thing in the freezer. When frozen, peel off the top of the yoghurt pot and ease the frozen yoghurt out of its pot.
- Frozen Blueberry Yoghurt Sticks – take a wooden skewer and pierce it with about 10 blueberries. Dip the whole stick into yoghurt and place the sticks on a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen take them off the sheet and place inside a freezer bag and store in the freezer.
- Apple and Peanut Rings – core and horizontally slice a green apple, spread the tops with smooth peanut butter and eat straight away.
- Houmous Celery Sticks – cut slices of celery sticks about 2 inches long. Fill the inside with houmous and serve.
- Summer Fruit Spring Rolls – take a circle of rice paper and soak for a few seconds till soft. Squeeze off any excess water and place down. Add any fruit, the more colourful the better and wrap like a spring roll.
- Boiled eggs – I like to keep boiled eggs in the fridge during the week. They are quick simple and nutritious and very easy to eat.
- Turkey Ham wrapped Cheese sticks – take a small stick of cheese and wrap around a slice of turkey ham.
- Mini omelettes – whisk up some eggs and add onion, cheese, chives and chopped peppers. Pour the mix into a 12 muffin cupcake tin and bake in the oven. Once cooled these can be stored for a week.
- Steamed edamame beans – these are great placed in a bowl, splashed with a little water and the covered in cling. Cooked in a microwave for 3 minutes and then sprinkled with salt and paprika.
- Plain popcorn – plain popcorn, quickly popped and a large handful is just enough.
In terms of drinks on a warm day I love to make the kids a quick cold smoothie after school and a nice warm drink on the colder school days.
Cold Drink – in a smoothie maker I like to add ice, mint, 1 green apple, the juice of a lime, half water and half apple juice and whizz.
Hot Drink – in a pan add coconut milk and heat up, to this I like to add unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract and honey, boil and serve.
These are all great ways to give the kids a little something to eat to take the edge off the hunger before dinner. But also a great way of getting some of their 5 a day in too.
This is just enough food to keep them sustained long enough to get on to help cook dinner in the kitchen with me, which is their favourite thing to do after school.
Connor PR working with Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA) on the ‘Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine’ campaign
CHILD ABUSE SURVIVORS UNITE IN MUSIC VIDEO TO RAISE AWARENESS OF HISTORIC HIGH POWER PAEDOPHILE RING & CALL FOR A REINVESTIGATION INTO HANGED BOY, PETER DAVIS’, DEATH
LONDON, 24th November 2015: The victims of one of the world’s most horrific and high profile cases of child abuse will today unite to appear in a music video as part of a landmark venture to try and raise awareness of the high power paedophile ring, which included politicians, celebrities, scout masters, members of the Catholic church, that infiltrated more than 20 children’s homes in the Lambeth area from 1950’s – 2000’s. The “Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine” campaign aims to bring justice to the hundreds of victims that suffered at their hands, 12 of whom committed suicide, and lift a 100 year access restriction order on the victim’s files. Award winning author and chair of the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (SOSA), Alex Wheatle MBE, himself a victim of abuse at Shirley Oaks and now seeking justice, is hoping that the campaign will encourage more witnesses to come forward enabling police to reopen an investigation into 15 year old Peter Davis’ death, who was found hanged at Shirley Oaks in Croydon in 1977.
Written by music mogul, Raymond Stevenson, who discovered Jessie J when she was 15 and was himself physically abused going on to become the founder of SOSA, with input and melodies by X Factor / Alien Uncovered star, Temple Praise, the track is entitled ‘Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine’ and will be released in early December this year. The track features haunting testimonies from the victims. The video will tell the story of the true horror suffered by vulnerable young children during decades of abuse at Shirley Oaks and aims to encourage more people who have any information to come forward and speak out, so that police investigations can be reopened and Government can lift the 100 year access restriction on files for former Shirley Oaks residents. The video will be made available to download from the first week of December 2015 (date TBC) with all funds going towards helping SOSA track down victims from across the UK and around the world.
Raymond Stevenson, SOSA founder, said: “I have done many campaigns and they have always been motivated by personal circumstances and issues that blight communities. Maybe because I survived the hell of Shirley Oaks I believe it’s my duty to help others. I say this not just because I was a victim but there can be no greater crime levied at humanity than paedophillia. Then add that these were abandoned children in the state’s care already unloved and frightened, some already victims and others whose parents died. Then add the lies, the cover-up, the conspiracy and now we learn that this could have all been prevented. This video will enable victims to tell their story through a medium that cannot be tampered with or edited. The chorus in the song simply says, ‘you don’t know what they done to me’. The video will show the fear horror and abuse through art. A line in the song that asks the question, ‘what happens if it was your child?”
Amongst the alleged abusers are Jimmy Savile, as well as former Lambeth Labour councilors, Toren Smith and Susan Smith, who have been convicted. There have been two major police investigations into abuse at children’s homes in South London and a total of three people have been convicted of offences; one relating to Shirley Oaks, swimming instructor, William Hook, and the remaining two including Michael John Carroll who ran Angell Road children’s home and Les Paul from South Vale Children’s Home.
SOSA is demanding answers for one very specific matter – the sudden death of 15-year old Peter Davis in 1977, found hanged in a toilet with a cord around his neck. Following signs of sexual acitivy, a coroner ruled “death by misadventure“, but friends who grew up with him believe he was the target of paedophiles. Peter was the chief witness in a rape trial at the Old Bailey two years before he died where he gave evidence in regard to both his and his sibling’s rape. When the BBC looked for court documents from the time, they found that in 2003 they had been made secret for 100 years. Former senior detective Clive Driscoll said reopening the case would be a “great opportunity for detective work”.
Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, who has constituents who are Lambeth abuse survivors said: “This is an important step for the campaign. I hope the excellent work that the survivors association are doing will help other survivors feel able to come forward and speak out. By the police’s own admission, previous investigations were ‘of the time’ and did not meet the standards we would apply today. The police owe it to the survivors group to reopen the investigation into Peter Davis’s death.”
The Metropolitan Police said officers looked at available material relating to Peter’s death in September 2014. A statement said: “In the absence of further new witnesses or new lines of inquiry, the matter remains closed. If new witnesses are identified who are prepared to provide police with statements that challenge the recorded decision then an assessment of that material will be undertaken.”
SOSA and Urban Concept’s1 research and on-going investigation is focused specifically on 1965 onwards when Lambeth took over the controls of Shirley Oaks. There have been multiple inquiries, most recently by the Metropolitan Police and Lambeth Council from 1998 – 2003, which cost millions of pounds, and resulted in the arrest of one paedophile from Shirley Oaks and two other paedophiles from other south London children’s homes. In the first eight months of interviewing over 300 children who attended Shirley Oaks and other South London Children’s Homes, Urban Concepts1 uncovered more than 16 paedophiles. When they discussed this with the Police their response was dismissive. A few weeks later Urban Concepts discovered a document produced by the Police and Lambeth Council which stated that 16 paedophiles died before or during the Police operation. This included one suicide during the trial in March 2003, 19 cases the alleged paedophile could not be identified and one case where the victim died before being able to give evidence. In some 11 cases the CPS took no further action and one case fell through after the suspected paedopile committed suicide during his trial.
Singers for the “Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine” campaign include 23 year old Millie from Essex, 21 year old Sophie from West Sussex and 21 year old Royal Opera House ballet dancer, Lucy from Stoke. The group known as ETHAMIA were selected based on their suitability to understand the subject matter and to empathise with the victims. When Urban Concepts1 played the track, the girls burst into tears and demanded to be part of the project. Taking their roles as ambassadors for victims seriously, the girls did their own research and went to Shirley Oaks and also accompanied the victims as they made a presentation to Lambeth council.
Principal crew for the music video will include: director, Giles Borg (Flutter, 1234, Home) with over twenty years of experience in music, film and television directing music videos, full length feature films, commercials and TV programmes; Jospeh Crone, a multi-talented fashion stylist and costume designer with a diverse list of clients and credits in the music, commercial and film sectors of the industry, from James Blunt to Dizzee Rascal, Investec to Innocent; and Ryan Jenkins, one of the UK’s most sought after choreographers, recently appointed creative director by UK government to represent and create work for Great Britain National day at Milan Expo 2015.
Choreographer, Ryan Jenkins, said: “This project has opened my eyes to the unimaginable pain and torture these people have experienced. It makes me so angry to know that nothing substantial has been done by those in authority. I want to help bring justice for these people. This is a story that needs to be told and the time is now.”
The Shirley Oaks campaigners are part of a wider phenomenon – a “survivor” activism that is changing the balance of power in relation to child abuse. Where once victims were ignored or silenced, now they are coming together through social media, forming support groups and building a crescendo of noise that the authorities are forced to acknowledge.
Lambeth Council is supporting the Shirley Oaks Survivors’ Association in their campaign to identify further victims and offer counselling to those who have not already received it but feel they would now benefit.
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Join in the conversation @ShirleyOaksSA / #ShirleyOaks
**CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS, RAYMOND STEVENSON AND ALEX WHEATLE MBE, ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW UPON REQUEST**
Connor PR working promoting Shirley Oaks Survivors Association’s latest campaign, Don’t Touch It. It’s Mine”
Let’s spread the Qbees love with your Valentine’s Day Qbees
***PRESS RELEASE***
Simply say ‘I Love You’ This Valentine’s Day with www.loveqbees.com
We’re gearing up for the most romantic date of the year here at Qbees with unique limited edition Valentine’s Qubes.
Valentine’s Day comes only once a year, and it’s a much celebrated event for both children and adults. Who doesn’t remember delivering Valentines to their friends when they were in school? So whether you’re a hopeless romantic or a last-minute cupid, Qbees will help you win their heart.
Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look. Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own Valentine’s design or photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their plain headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Let’s spread the Qbees love with your Valentine’s Day Qbees.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Qbees will be showcased in front of more than 70,000 retailers at the acclaimed Spring Fair in Birmingham ( February 1st – 5th 2015). The event features the world’s biggest collection of British-designed products and the latest products from new and popular brands.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
Connor PR specialist in product launch PR, Connor PR working with www.loveqbees.com.Connor PR specialist in parenting PR, Connor PR specialist in consumer PR
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
***PRESS RELEASE***
Qbees – Giving tweens the ultimate in product personalisation
London, 24th November 2014: There is no place for standardisation in the tween world today – being told what to like, wear or share simply doesn’t roll – it’s all about choice, creativity and being unique.
The latest craze to hit the UK is all of those things and more – it’s fun, highly collectable and inexpensive to boot. Qbees are fashion accessories that snap around headphone cables, giving tweens and teens the opportunity to decorate and accesorise their look.
Jason Palmer, Qbees Creator said: “Young people have so much passion and creative drive so why not let them be a part of designing the accessories they choose to wear. We want to champion young artists and commend creativity and this product does exactly that. And for those who prefer to choose ready-made designs, they can choose from a fantastic selection created either by our designers or their own peers.”
Qbees are made up of mini plastic snap-frames and interchangeable images (called Qubes) that sit inside, and they cost a mere £3 for the pair, regardless of whether you choose to upload your own photo, use the word editor or choose from the Qbees fabulous range. They allow the user to transform their boring headphone cables into works of art, message boards or personal statements. The product is so versatile it provides an ever-changing platform for young creative minds.
The concept was born during a ride on the London Underground when Jason noticed the people sitting opposite all had the same white cables hanging down around them. ‘How boring’ shifted to ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if they were more individual and colourful and interesting to look at’ and with that, the brand was born.
Not content with simply providing a variety of fun shapes, colours and images, the team behind Qbees have opened the doors to a new kind of product – offering people the chance to become Qube designers by submitting their ideas online. Winning designs will bag the artist £50 and they will get to watch as their Qube moves up the trending wall!
Move over playground trends, this craze is all about the wider world and letting tweens put their own stamp on it, literally…
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Media information: For all media enquires please contact Connor PR www.connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel: 07966 177025
lisa@onewomanworkforce.com Tel: 07970 727801
Join the conversation
Twitter handle: @LoveQbees
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveqbees
Website: www.loveqbees.com
About
Entrepreneur Jason Palmer lives in Barkingside, Ilford, with his wife Sue and children Max and Ellie. With a history in the travel industry, Jason has invented and developed Qbees with a creative and passionate team of people who are intent on developing an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product. They believe in hard work and producing products that make people smile! If you want to know more about the T&Cs, please click here.
Platform Inspiration
Platform Inspiration Limited was set up in 2014 by Jason Palmer as the parent company for the Qbees range of products, Platform Inspiration Limited is registered In England No.8589869. Trading will initially be via Platform Inspirations e-commerce website www.loveqbees.com
Connor PR promoting Qbees, Connor PR expert in launch PR, Connor PR expert in youth PR, Connor PR expert in tween PR, Connor PR and Siobhan Connor,
Siobhan Connor from Connor PR compering Shrewsbury School Charity Fashion Show
SHREWSBURY SCHOOL PRESS RELEASE ____________________________________________________________________
Runway ready – Shrewsbury School’s Charity Fashion Show prepares for take-off
Organised entirely by A level students at Shrewsbury School, the 6th gala Charity Fashion Show takes place at the School on Saturday 4th October.
Lead organiser Georgia Bruce, aged 17, is putting into place the final touches to what promises to be a hugely entertaining evening for audience and participants alike.
“We are hoping to raise lots of awareness and money for Brain Tumour UK and Ethiopiad whilst creating a fabulous night of fashion that also helps to support local businesses and boutiques.”
“We’re thrilled with the wonderful response we’ve had from local shops. We’re really looking forward to showing off some gorgeous clothes from the autumn collections at Templeton Jones, Jones, Chequers, EA Jones Vintage. Harry Mundy, an former pupil here is bringing a sample of his collection of Saville Row tailored suits. We are so excited to be able to wear jewellery from Boodles.”
“We’ve also been given some fabulous raffle prizes and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who has donated. In honour of the Fashion Show we are giving a beautiful bouquet to the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ of the evening”
Georgia has lined up 15 fellow students – boys and girls – to model the outfits. Students will also be providing musical entertainment during the interval, while others will be busy behind the scenes, building the catwalk and controlling the sound and lighting.
Adding an extra glamorous sparkle to the event, Georgia is delighted that the evening will be compered by local PR guru and lover of fashion, Siobhan Connor, Director of Connor PR.
The students of Shrewsbury School hope to raise more than £2,000 for Brain Tumour UK and Ethiopiad. _________________________________________________________________________________
Notes to editor: For further information and images, please contact: Annabel Warburg, Website and Press Manager, Shrewsbury School afwarburg@shrewsbury.org.uk tel. 01743 280522 / 07800 571174 www.shrewsbury.org.uk
Give Up Clothes For Good exhibition by world famous photographer Jason Bell
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Give Up Clothes for Good campaign, TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK are hosting an exclusive exhibition of works by world famous photographer Jason Bell. I arrived at the Pall Mall Galleria and was proud to see my PR campaign from 2014s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign on display.
Give Up Clothes For Good encourages donating your old clothes to raise money for children’s cancers.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/512015/Jerry-Hall-shows-off-her-youthful-looks-at-Cancer-Research-and-TK-Maxx-charity-launch
Launched in 2004, Give Up Clothes For Good is a biannual campaign based on encouraging people to clear out their wardrobes and donate quality unwanted clothes and household items to raise money for the treatment and cure of childhood cancers. The donated items are collected from TK Maxx stores and later sold across the network of CRUK stores.
I needed to come up with a witty and motivating call to action that encouraged the whole nation to take part in the biggest clothes collection ever. We took the double meaning of ‘Give Up Clothes For Good’ to suggest we all go naked for a good cause. A simple proposition that would guarantee stand out across all media. In order to engage the public and ensure extensive coverage, we set about contacting a host of celebrities to pose for some very tasteful and modest, naked themed shots, playing on the campaign strapline ‘Bare as you Dare’. Celebrities including Jade Jagger, Bruno Tonioli, Liz McLarnon, Sol Campbell, Lucy Benjamin, Julia Bradbury, James Anderson, Christopher Biggins, Kate Walsh all ‘dared to bare’ For the cameras in aid of raising valuable funds for charity and encourage the public to
strip their wardrobes bare too.
Whilst I was confident that images of naked celebrities shot by renowned celebrity photographer Jason Bell would provide us with a compelling news pictures, we also felt that the campaign project merited a pre awareness launch and a series of regional launches around the country that would serve to maximize awareness.
During the pre awareness stage TK Maxx, HomeSense and Cancer Research UK teamed up with online auction site eBay for a celebrity clothing auction. I set about contacting celebrities – Sharon Osbourne, Duffy, David Walliams, Jade Jagger, Tyra Banks, Nicky Hilton, Rupert Grint, Leighton Meester and the Duchess of York are just some of the celebrities who pledged an item. The team got busy selling in to fashion bloggers, showbiz desks and celebrity titles.
A week before the media launch day on April 6th the celebrity images were seeded with Press Association and Heat magazine offered the magazine exclusive. Over the Easter bank holiday weekend, the national picture desks and showbiz desks were spoken to in order to ensure the messaging and campaign credits were correct. National and regional sites were targeted, as well as relevant fashion blogs, entertainment and lifestyle outlets. encourage bag drops.
Local celebrities across six key regions with high regional media density also helped drive awareness. Regional photo-calls took place on launch day with local talent wearing a large Give Up Clothes For Good bag including Paul Potts in Cardiff, TV presenter Amanda Hamilton in Edinburgh, Ex Gladiator in Leeds, BBC Midlands presenter Suzanne Virdee in Birmingham and Orlaith McCallister in Belfast, as well as a photocall in Southampton. The team got busy selling in the pictures to regional targets. Inorder to target the fashion press, we worked with Jade Jagger who carried out interviews for Stylist and Stella. In addition we secured interviews with Bruno Tonilio in OK Magazine, Kate Walsh in Closer.
To keep the momentum going throughout the three week campaign and to encourage bag donations we scheduled regional activity during this time, including ‘naked’ radio drops using two naturists from Living’s ‘Four Weddings’ Fame in the final week.
TK Maxx, HomeSense and CRUK have smashed the 2008 till point donations revealing £258,097.65 worth of donations.
On Monday 5th April, the pictures and press release were issued under embargo to all national and regional newspapers and all major online outlets, supported by an aggressive call round.
The following morning I had secured newspaper coverage within The Sun, Daily Mirror, Metro, Daily Record, Daily Star, Daily Mail, The Times, Daily Telegraph.
The story was also successful in reaching newspaper websites including The Sun Online, Daily Mirror Online, Metro Online, Daily Mail Online, and The Daily Telegraph Online, as well as a fully credited.
Other key outlets secured include BBC Entertainment News, Sky News, Yahoo! and MSN, all crediting TK Maxx, HomeSense and Cancer Research UK. Online coverage continued to mount throughout the day, with stories appearing on online outlets.
The campaign became part of the ‘naked’ zeitgeist and discussions on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and articles in the Evening Standard ‘Naked London’ affiliated TK Maxx and CR-UK with the story. As well as TV presenter Kate Walsh talking about the campaign on Live At Studio Five and Liz McClarnon on The Wright Stuff.
Total coverage
149 clips
£582,888 AVE
100,090,554 Circulation
It’s time to say down with cute and up with cool! Rockabye-Baby!
It’s time to say down with cute and up with cool!
With such a fresh and welcomed approach to dressing kids, it’s no wonder Rockabye-Baby has been selected to showcase its clothes at House of Fraser’s POP at HOF – a pop-up at the flagship Oxford Street store. Following a competition organised by The Great Retail Revival Foundation, Rockabye-Baby was one of just ten small businesses selected from nearly 200 of the UK’s hottest new retailers in a sales event offering the winner a year’s concession at the store. Tattinger is sponsoring the event and people who buy any POP at HOF brands get a free glass of champagne!
Rockabye-Baby has a refreshing attitude and a motto to match – don’t give into mainstream cute. Owner and founder, Emma Parkes-McQueen, believes kids should be able to dress as individually as they think – scrap those stereotypes; crush those clichés. This bright and funky range of luxury cotton clothes for children up to the age of eight look fantastic, have a musical theme and are even packed in 10-inch record sleeves.
This great new brand has been given the chance to shout out to a wider audience – so whether the kids like a whiter shade of pale or a slightly purple haze, Rockabye-Baby has something to suit. Head to House of Fraser, Oxford Street, between Monday 12 May and Monday 26 May to get some of the latest fashion must-haves for kids.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Owner and founder of Rockabye-Baby Emma Parkes-McQueen is available for interview.
For all media enquiries please contact Siobhan@connorpr.com
siobhan@connorpr.com Tel 07966 177025
Following a competition organised by The Great Retail Revival Foundation, Rockabye-Baby was chosen as one the UK’s hottest new retailers to showcase its clothes at House of Fraser’s POP at HOF – a pop-up at the flagship Oxford Street store. The winner secures a year’s concession at the store. Tattinger is sponsoring the event and people who buy any POP at HOF brands get a free glass of champagne.
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/rockabye-baby/133581963319701
Twitter: : @RockabyeBabyLDN
@gr8retail #popathof @houseoffraser
Website: www.rockabye-baby.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockabyebaby/
www.thegreatretailrevival.org/competition.html
KIDS Rock Out competition
Go into The House of Fraser Store on Oxford Street, London
Try on a Rockabye-Baby Item of Clothing
Show us your best Rock Moves and Rock Out
Take a pic, send it in to our FaceBook page in a private message with the little rockers name and email address https://www.facebook.com/RockabyebabyLDN
We will announce one winner on Sunday May 18th and another on Monday May 26th May
There will be two prizes2 x £100 vouchers each week.
Connor PR expert in baby fashion PR, Connor PR expert in fashion PR, Connor PR working with popathof, Connor PR working with the great retail revival
THE YOUTH REBELLION –AN ANTI-PINK AND BLUE PROTEST ROCKS HOUSE OF FRASER, OXFORD STREET
THE YOUTH REBELLION –AN ANTI-PINK AND BLUE PROTEST ROCKS HOUSE OF FRASER, OXFORD STREET
“Stand out from the crowd? Yes please!
Why is the crowd all dressed the same anyway?”
- We’ve learnt to walk – let us stand on our own two feet!
- We’ve learnt to talk – let us have a voice!
Gone are the days when children were seen but not heard – an electric group of future trend-setters were seen protesting on Oxford Street, London, over the weekend. Why? Because they are fed up with being told to wear boring stereotypical clothes! Lucky for them, a new label has come to town.
Anti-stereotype brand, Rockabye-Baby, has a fresh approach to dressing kids and a motto to match – don’t give into mainstream cute. Owner and founder, Emma Parkes-McQueen, believes kids should be able to dress as individually as they think and is spearheading the campaign ‘down with cute; up with cool’. This bright and funky range of luxury cotton clothes for children up to the age of eight looks fantastic and is not designed with ‘three-year-old-Daisy-who-only-wears-pink’ or ‘six-year-old-Max-who-loves-dragons’ in mind. With a musical theme to boot, they are cool clothes that crush clichés.
Just as toy shops have started to listen to the public about the need to scrap the signage of gender-specific toys, Emma believes the same should be said for clothes. Why do we feel the need to even define the sex of our children? Is it because we’re offended if someone thinks our boy is a girl? Is it because we’re worried they will stand out from the crowd?
The history of clothing is an endless read – from a 1918 trade publication stating that pink (the stronger colour) was right for boys and blue (the delicate and dainty option) was the one to dress girls in; to shops publishing charts about which colours were appropriate for which sex; jumping to 1940 when the colours were switched; and then the 1960s seeing a unisex comeback…
This great new brand simply focuses on cool – that’s unisex cool; across the board cool; appealing to all cool. It’s more than a brand. It’s a statement and one that is fun to get behind (and into). With an ethos that makes refreshing sense and a quality that is unrivalled, what’s not to love about this fresh new label!?
Following a competition organised by The Great Retail Revival Foundation, Rockabye-Baby was chosen as one the UK’s hottest new retailers to showcase its clothes at House of Fraser’s POP at HOF – a pop-up at the flagship Oxford Street store. The winner secures a year’s concession online. Champagne Taittinger is partnering the event and customers who buy any POP at HOF brands get a free glass to celebrate.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Owner and founder of Rockabye-Baby, Emma Parkes-McQueen is available for interview.
For all media enquiries please contact:
siobhan@connorpr.com / Tel: 07966 177025
Following a competition organised by The Great Retail Revival Foundation, Rockabye-Baby was chosen as one the UK’s hottest new retailers to showcase its collection at House of Fraser’s POP at HOF – a pop-up at the flagship Oxford Street store. The winner secures a year’s concession online. Champagne Taittinger is partnering the event; customers who buy any POP at HOF product get a free glass of champagne.
About House of Fraser:
House of Fraser is a department store group with 59 enviable locations across the UK and Ireland plus one dot.com concept store. As one of the best known names on the high street, House of Fraser has presented customers with an unrivalled nationwide department store for 165 years. The company announced the sale to Nanjing Cenbest on 12 April 2014 marking the exciting beginning for the company under Chinese ownership. The Group has annual sales of £1.2bn and employs 6,800 House of Fraser staff and 13,000 concession staff through 4.5 million sqft of selling space. Customers can shop at House of Fraser from http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk. During 2013, the Group opened its first international franchise store in Abu Dhabi.
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/rockabye-baby/133581963319701
Twitter: @RockabyeBabyLDN
@gr8retail #popathof @houseoffraser
Website: www.rockabye-baby.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockabyebaby/
www.thegreatretailrevival.org/competition.html
Connor PR working with RockabyeBaby, Connor PR specialist in fashionPR
Connor PR working with Paramount Pictures, in association with Empire Film Distribution on The Reef 2:High Tide, the stunning new animation film
The following celebrities attended a celebrity screening of the brand new animation film The Reef 2: High Tide at The Soho Hotel from Paramount Pictures, in association with Empire Film Distribution. The event was organised by Connor PR, specialists in event PR.
Gillian McKeith and her daughters, Skylar and Afton. Patsy Palmer and her children Fenton, Emilia and Bertie. Jessie Wallace and her daughter Tallulah. Carrie Grant and family. Towie star Billi Mucklow and her nephew. Maisie Smith (Tiffany in EastEnders). Devon Higgs (Morgan in EastEnders). Kevin Adams, Charlie Brooks and her daughter Kiki.
The Stunning New Animation Film by Director Mark A.Z. Dippe, starring Drake Bell, Fran Drescher, Andy Dick and Frankie Jonas
With fast paced action, striking CGI animation and vibrant characters, this is the ultimate feel good animation film, perfect for all the family
.