insideKENT Magazine Issue 79 - October 2018 | Page 163
NEWS
CRIPPS LAWYERS TAKE TO THE SADDLE FOR CHARITY
Partners and staff from Cripps took to their
bikes once again to raise money for charity
in the law firm’s annual ‘Tour de Cripps’
challenge. The team cycled a punishing
100km circular route between the firm’s
Tunbridge Wells and Kings Hill offices, taking
them though a number of Kent villages,
including Headcorn, Wateringbury and
Shipbourne.
They were cycling to raise money for their
charity of the year, Rethink Mental Illness,
which directly supports almost 60,000 peop le
every year to help them through crises and
live independently. The charity operates more
than 200 mental health services and 150
support groups across England, providing
psychological therapies, peer support groups,
housing services and recovery houses.
This year’s Tour de Cripps team included
managing partner Gavin Tyler, Craig Bowers,
Patrick Glencross, Pete Kenyon, Kathryn
Rogers and Aleks Wulff.
“This is the fourth year the challenge has taken
place and after watching from afar for the last
few years I felt it was time for me to take the
saddle,” said Gavin. “Rethink Mental Illness is
our charity of the year and provides amazing
support for those suffering from mental illness
as well as their carers, so although the bike
ride was grueling in parts, it was a pleasure to
support such a worthwhile organisation.”
More activities are planned for the rest of the
year. Anyone wishing to donate will find
details on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/
tourdecripps.
KENT OPTICIAN SAVES MANS LIFE
A Kent businessman says he owes his life to an optician who
spotted the early signs of an extremely rare tumour – after being
given the all clear by another optician.
31-year-old property developer Tim Vince, from Maidstone, has
spent six months recovering from complications resulting from
having a large, two-in-a-million craniopharyngioma tumour
removed, but says he may not be alive if Satvinder Shoker, who
runs Kings Hill Opticians, hadn’t spotted the early warning signs.
KENT SHOPPING CENTRE LAUNCHES SPOOKY
STORY COMPETITION
As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community, The Forum
Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne is challenging all budding young
writers to create a spooky story this Halloween and be in with the
chance of winning a special prize for themselves and their school.
“Sat Shoker saved my life,” said Mr. Vince. “If he hadn’t seen that
something was wrong and made me an urgent referral to the
hospital, and if the tumour hadn’t been diagnosed or if I had just
been fobbed off like I was when I first went for an eye test at a
high-street chain because my vision wasn’t right, who knows
what could have happened. If Mr. Shoker hadn’t got me in the
system so quickly, I could have lost my eyesight, or I could
have died. Even though my tumour was benign, when it’s in the
brain it doesn’t have anywhere to expand into, so the consequences
are serious.”
KHO Satvinder Shoker, Tim Vince, Sarah Vince
Youngsters of all ages are invited to let their imaginations run wild and
write a story by finishing this opening paragraph:
“The cold night air surrounded Sarah as she walked along the
deserted cobbles, alone. Aware it was Halloween, Sarah thought of her
friends all out trick or treating and wished she was with them. A noise
sounded in the distance, which Sarah realised was getting closer and
closer. Holding her breath, she stopped in her tracks and slowly, carefully,
turned her head...”
What happens next to Sarah is up to the young writers. Those taking
part are invited to email their story to [email protected] or
post to The Forum Shopping Centre’s Spooky Stories Competition, c/o
PMW Communications Ltd, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst,
West Sussex, RH14 9HP by the closing date of Sunday 14th October.
The winning child will not only receive a handful of prizes, but their
school will also win a £100 voucher to spend at The Works in The
Forum.
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