Topnotch broadens list of beneficiaries

Topnotch health clubs is to extend its Helping Hands scheme this year for the first time to include national charities.

The scheme works by staff and members deciding on a specific local charity on which to concentrate their fundraising efforts throughout the year. From this year, as well as helping worthy local causes, 50 per cent of money raised through sponsored events and social activities will be donated to a national charity.

This year's recipient will be the children's charity Sparks. Sparks funds medical research into many of the more serious childhood illnesses such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy and cancer.

Topnotch's chief executive Matthew Harris remarked: Everyone deserves the chance to lead an active and fulfilling life, and we are very glad to be working with Sparks to help give all children the best possible start.

Sparks' president John Conteh expressed the charity's pleasure at being chosen: We're delighted to be the beneficiaries of Topnotch's fundraising activities, as support like this enable Sparks to fund ground breaking medical research.