Day: 6 December 2012

Shoe Amnesty is a campaign where volunteers from the Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP) are collecting good quality second hand shoes in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Bhagwan Manku explains why this charity is so worthwhile and affects so many people in Britain today:

‘’The volunteers are encouraging University staff, students, local retailers and members of the public to donate unwanted shoes to the charity. We are aiming to collect 599 pairs of shoes, based on the statistic that 599 people died from coronary heart disease in Manchester last year.

‘’Shoe Week is being held on The University of Manchester campus from Monday 3^rd to Friday 7^th December. Groups of volunteers will be situated around campus throughout the week by having shoe drop-points, engaging staff and students in the campaign. Look out for ‘Hearty’, the British Heart Foundation mascot who will be let loose around campus to spread the word too! In the build-up to Shoe Week, we have placed red donation bins in various locations throughout campus, and have already started to receive a steady stream of donations.

The British Heart Foundation is desperately in need of donations, and with stock like shoes that they can use the money raised to provide vital resources and equipment to heart disease patients. “Each pair of shoes on average raises £5.99 for the charity. Each £5.99 could provide a lifeline for heart patients.’’

Apart from donating all your old unwanted shoes, students are also welcome to get involved in the campaign.  ‘’We are looking for enthusiastic people to volunteer for us on Shoe Week, handing out flyers and really engaging with people about the campaign. As well as targeted university staff and students, we are also planning to target retailers across the city to see if they are willing to support the campaign and donate anything. If they are MLP students or not and are interested in doing their bit for this amazing charity, they can get in touch.”

You can get in contact through Shoe Amnesty’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BritishHeartFoundationShoeAmnesty’

Kate Bullivant meets Fahim Sachedina, the president of Manchester Entrepreneurs, to find out more about the society, what they do and more importantly what they can help you to do.

Manchester Entrepreneurs (ME) was set up in 2008 and is now one of the biggest societies at the University of Manchester with over 3,500 people on their mailing list and 50 to 100 active members contributing and taking part every week.

ME’s main aim is to support enterprise and entrepreneurship on campus by supporting ideas, skills and offering help, advice and funding for whatever stage you are at. Through working closely with Manchester Enterprise Centre and with sponsors such as Accenture and RBS, they aim to point aspiring entrepreneurs in the right direction. ME is the key hub for enterprise on campus as they can offer advice, skills workshops, business plans, market research, branding, funding and contacts, all providing a platform for your ideas and skills.

ME meet every Tuesday at 6pm at the Manchester Business School on Booth Street West. During these meetings they provide workshops and host talks by successful entrepreneurs about their business and their journey towards success, offering advice from different perspectives and experience. A lot can be learnt in one hour.

Fahim explains: “University is the best time and place to set up a business as there is absolutely no risk, if you fail then you are in the same position you always were. There’s nothing to lose as it can be done cheaply and efficiently, especially due to the advances in technology and the opportunities the internet can offer. ME is a great place to gain experience and skills which at this point is often more valuable than money. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Joining ME is completely free of charge and as well as helping you along with a career in entrepreneurship, it is also a lot of fun. They hold regular socials and part-own a club night called Runway at Sakura in Deansgate.

ME have already had successes in the past, including PieBoy clothing, which you may have seen around campus selling University merchandise such as beanie hats. PieBoy clothing is now run by the ex-president of ME and they supply four of the biggest UK universities and are a partner of NUS supplier.

ME aim to empower students through entrepreneurship, get them out of their comfort zone by learning as much as they can, utilising their skills and earning money at the same time.

“Anything you are stuck on you can come to us; we’re a bunch of like-minded people with experience that can help you on your way.”

Find out more at  www.manchesterentrepreneurs.org.uk

They were involved in last week’s Society Swap, and if Judo caught your fancy Joseph Perry explains a little more about what Judo is and how you can get involved.

“In simple terms Judo is a type of wrestling and you can think of it as a fighting sport rather than a traditional martial art. The aim of Judo is to throw your opponent to the floor until they tap out or you have held them there for twenty five seconds.”

Their weekly training sessions are run by coach Steve Pullen, who boasts an MBE for his achievements and is also a 6^th Dan. This grade is only achievable through exceptional contribution to the sport. Joseph explained how having such an experienced coach boosts the standards of everyone that takes part: “A massive advantage about having Steve with us is that he is ludicrously well-connected. He brings people to the mat we simply would not have otherwise. People like Simon Jackson (a three-time Paralympic gold medallist) and Steve Ravenscroft (Former British and Commonwealth Champion).  Each week Steve runs us through free-practice, technique drills and fitness, which is at the end. It means that you get the most out of the sessions, not only the essential skills but also fitness and a lot of fun!”

You have to wear a jacket and trousers, while different coloured belts are awarded as you progress. From what I could see at the training session there were a lot of blue and black belts, which I was told is quite impressive. The Coach Steve Pullen then told me that for each student he has specific targets and this is usually to get them to black belt by the time they leave Manchester. Having goals and a focus means that the members are really passionate about Judo and have the drive to get better and better. If you want to get involved but don’t have the right kit, this is not a problem because there are a few spares to go around.

Each year, they take part in a series of competitions across the country. Some of their members were very successful at British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competition, coming home with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. “We want to continue the high standards, if not make them higher! We’re also working towards making Judo a more cohesive club. We’ve also had a very good intake of women to the sport this year which is really encouraging, especially with the achievements of Gemma Gibbons and Karina Bryant in the Olympics this year, securing silver and a bronze medal.”

New arrivals are ALWAYS welcome. Sessions are held in the Armitage Centre Conference Room 7.00-8:30pm Mondays and Wednesdays.