Wolverhampton’s Compton Hospice is appealing for competitors to dress up as seven foot tall budgies and ten foot high giants to take on a series of whacky challenges in the charity’s It’s a Knockout contest this June.

The crazy competition will be the focal point of the hospice’s family fun day at the city’s West Park on Sunday June 26.

Up to 12 teams of eight competitors will get the chance to dress up in a range of costumes, all from the original BBC TV show, to act as targets for sponges and soap suds while negotiating the traps of the It’s a Knockout course in six games.

More than 4,000 people came along to the Compton in the Park fun day in 2010, raising more than £20,000 for the hospice.

This year the day will feature live bands, displays for all the family, dozens of stalls with more than 500 walkers, joggers and cyclists expected to take part in the hospice’s annual five-mile memory walk around West Park.

It’s a Knockout competitors will get the chance to take on the Bird Cage Rage challenge building their own bird’s nest dressed at 7ft tall budgies and the Fe Fi Fo Fall game dressed in a 10ft high giant’s costume while negotiating a range of moving carpets.

A series of inflatable and water-soaked games, Medieval Madness, Slippery Summit, Hats On and All Hands on Deck, make up the laugh-a-minute line up for the contest.

Ettingshall-based company Angel Springs the UK’s leading water cooler service provider have already signed up for the challenge after taking part in last year’s fun day contest.

Angel Springs team organiser Rachel Jones said: “It’s a Knockout is an absolutely fantastic laugh, when else do you get the chance to dress up as massive budgie and make a nest as well as being part of a superb day, it’s really not a chance to be missed.

“This year’s team is the same as last year’s because everyone had such a great time they all wanted to do it again.”

Contest organiser Simon Cater, corporate fundraiser at Compton Hospice, said: “Everybody has a brilliant time taking part in It’s a Knockout and there’s a great reaction from the crowd with the contest being the highlight of the hospice fun day.

“Anyone can take part in a team of eight so that can be workmates, family and relatives or neighbours and friends getting together.”

To enter or find out more details contact Simon Cater on 0845 2255 497 or go to the fundraising events section of the Compton Hospice website http://www.compton-hospice.org.uk

Keeping your staff hydrated throughout their working day can mean the difference between tired, unmotivated staff and enthusiastic, creative employees with increased levels of concentration.

Dehydration can be the cause of a whole array of underlying illnesses. According to the NHS, water makes up a third of a healthy human body. Water lubricates the joints and eyes; it also helps with digestion as well as flushing out toxins. Water helps to keep the body looking healthy inside and out   water is also responsible for healthy looking skin.

We lose water throughout the day, sweating is one of the main ways that we lose water from the body. It is important that we maintain our hydration levels throughout the day in order to keep ourselves healthy.

Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, headaches, a lightheaded feeling, tiredness, a dry mouth and lips and eyes. Dark concentrated urine and passing small amounts of urine frequently are also signs of low hydration levels.

Many employees are guilty of not drinking enough water throughout the day, reasons for this can be not bringing enough to drink to work, not having enough time during a break to buy a drink or there being a lack of drinking facilities in the work place.

Many employers can often leave responsibility for staff hydration to the staff themselves. However, supplying your employees with fresh drinking water from a water dispenser can improve the quality of work dramatically. A fresh water drinking supply will benefit both the employer and the employees.

It is important to make sure that you strive to provide the best working environment by catering for your employees needs. A supply of fresh drinking water is a basic need; don’t leave your staff with tap water as their drinking supply. Tap water is can often be filled with chemicals which mean we can’t always ensure that it is safe to drink.

Water coolers do not drain your budget or take up too much space; companies now develop water coolers to suit a variety of office spaces and needs. Ask your chosen supplier for a trial of the water cooler first to see how it fits in to your office environment. See how often your employees use it and how effective it is in the work place. It not only benefits your employees but also gives a great impression to your customers. Offering a welcoming reception area with fresh drinking water facilities will make a positive impact on your visitors from the start.

Water coolers are now available on a range of packages; these vary from set price, pay monthly packages to pay as you go, bottled or mains fed point of use package solutions. Pay as you go packages are suitable for those who have specific needs and requirements.

Your office space and staff numbers will affect your package needs; make sure to be specific about your requirements so that you have enough water to supply all of your staff members.

At Angel Springs we are always willing to support a good cause and the 10K run at Kingswinford Rugby Club, is another perfect example of playing an active role within the community.

The 10K event took place yesterday evening at the club grounds in Wall Heath, Kingswinford and is held on an annual basis to raise money and awareness for different charity organisations. With over 800 participants last year, this year’s 10K run was just as good.

Well done to angels Julia Warrilow, Jane Plested and Andrea Brazier from accounts that took part in the run and completed the course in an amazing time of 1 hour 13 minutes.

Upon crossing the finish line all 3 angels (once they had restored their hydration levels) commented “it was challenging but very enjoyable to be a part of the race,” which was held this year to support Parkinson’s disease which affects 1 in every 500 in the UK which is an astonishing 120,000 people.

Research into finding a cure is still on-going so if anyone would like to donate or show your support please visit http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/ or call 0808 800 0303 for more information.

Again well done to Julia Warrilow, Jane Plested and Andrea Brazier!

Toyota’s independent BTCC racer Frank Wrathall and his Dynojet Racing team endured a character-building weekend at Thruxton, venue for the latest rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Although Frank and his ‘Next Generation Touring Car’ Avensis showed flashes of strong pace, reliability problems prevented the team from claiming any hard results with which to reward their hard work with the all-new machine.

A broken suspension component set the scene in Saturday’s free practice, and then a drama-filled qualifying session left Wrathall 19th on the grid. It was very much a case of what might have been for the young rising star sponsored by the UK’s leading water cooler service provider Angel Springs, whose hopes of a grid slot nearer the sharp end were frustrated by a leaking fuel line half way through the session.

Earlier in the day Frank posted a best lap time of 1m 20.680s in free practice and the Lancashire 24-year-old was confident that there was at least a second more to come given a clear run.

Alas Frank’s chance to prove his point was robbed from him by the fuel leak which manifested itself after just eight laps around the super-fast Hampshire circuit. Wrathall’s best up to that point was a lap of 1m 21.655s.

“It’s so frustrating to go out in a car which you know is capable of great things, and then to not be able to get a decent lap,” said Frank. “However, we have to be grateful it was a problem which was not too hard to fix; things could have been worse.”

Sunday’s first race started well enough, with Frank gaining places on the opening lap and beginning to relish the prospect of picking off some more rivals as the race wore on. Although, on lap three, there was an overheating problem and Frank was forced to the pits.

“It was going really well,” said Frank. “I was making up places and setting my sights on the cars ahead, and then the engine temperature shot up and it went into ‘limp mode’.”

The problem was traced to a blown gasket – not the work of a moment to repair, and Frank was forced to sit out race two while work continued under the bonnet.

Hopes were high for a clean run in the final race of the day, and again there was an initial flash of speed, several places gained and then a third-lap retirement with a repeat of the overheating issue.

Wrathall’s second lap saw him post a time of 1m 19.727s – his best of the weekend, and a top-12 lap time for the race as a whole. “That was a good time, but it was not a good lap,” said Frank, “because I was caught up in traffic. The frustrating thing is that I know the Toyota is capable of even better, and I am just longing for the opportunity to prove the point.”

After a boost of speed and adrenaline from the second round of the British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park, Frank Wrathall and team Dynojet are looking forward to the next round at Thruxton this weekend.

Frank set one of his fastest lap times of the championship so far at Donington despite having got off to a rough start, as the new generation Toyota Avensis incurred a broken gear linkage in race two forcing him back to the pits. Excellent team work from the Dynojet mechanics and engineers meant Frank, got back out onto the track and lapped quicker than most of the cars ahead.

Frank sponsored by the UK’s leading water cooler service provider Angel Springs commented “When the gear linkage broke, I thought the race was over but great work from the team meant they fitted a new one and I was able to go out on track and have some fun,” he said. “We have showed again the progress we have made with the car and the speed we have found. I set some good lap times despite being in traffic and the fact I was being held up by people like Matt and Jason was a nice feeling.”

After an action packed second round at Donington Park filled with power, adrenaline and speed the young Toyota Avensis driver and the rest of the Dynojet team are eager to see what Thruxton has in store for them. Look out for Frank and his Angel branded car, live this Sunday on ITV4 and ITV4 HD from 11:30am to 6pm with highlights on later ITV1.

Purchasing or renting a water cooler from a reputable company is not hard work. They will discuss with you the various packages that you can go for which may include some of the following; free installation, a certain number of water bottles  (if you choose the bottled water cooler) with free delivery, free cups and even servicing and maintenance.

When thinking of installing a water cooler into your office or home, you have two main water cooler options. You can choose between either a mains fed water cooler or a bottle fed water cooler. A mains fed water cooler is connected to your buildings main water supply. This may limit where you place your water cooler but it provides an unlimited amount of water. A bottle water cooler is only connected to a power socket, meaning it  can be easily relocated. Your bottles of water are supplied to you on either a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on your usage. No matter what type of water cooler you choose the water is always filtered helping to get rid of some of the harsh chemicals that are so often found in tap water such as chlorine.

For a simple, easily installed machine, this is one piece of office equipment that shouldn’t be over looked. Getting the most out of your water cooler is easy. The key thing is to make sure it is maintained correctly. Regularly sanitisation your water cooler will help make sure that it stays hygienic. Just using something as simple as hot water and sanitizer or even a little bit of bleach is all it takes. When using a bottled water cooler it is recommended that the water bottles should be changed every six weeks, to help keep your water fresh. This advice is mainly for an office where the demand for the water cooler is quite low, and the water cooler is more likely to stand unused for long periods of time. Whenever you change your water bottle, just give your water cooler a quick clean, this will help you too stay on top of cleaning your water cooler by getting you into a routine.

Water coolers have  many added benefits, and to make sure you are getting the most out of you water cooler  you should use it regularly. It is recommended that an adult drinks around 2 – 3 litres of water a day. Drinking more water is proven to help improve your overall health for example drinking five or more glasses of water a day may mean you are less likely to suffer from a heart attack or even heart disease. It also helps the body to maintain a healthy immune system by flushing out any toxins or bacteria that may have entered the body. One of the main reasons that many employers are keen to install a water cooler, is that by using it regularly you don’t just make the most out of your water cooler, you are also making the most out of your employees. Water rehydrates both the body and the mind meaning that your staff are less likely to become lethargic and distracted meaning they will work harder for longer.

Many people associate offices to be either too hot due to stuffy environments, or too cold and dry due to air conditioning, both of these conditions can play a part in the body becoming dehydrated.

It is a well known fact that water is a necessity in life. The human body is made up of between 55 per cent and 78 per cent water, depending upon your body size. Your muscles consist of 75 per cent water, and your brain is made up of 90 per cent water. So, from these statistics it is easy to see and understand why the recommended daily allowance of water is 2 – 3 litres.

As the majority of adults work around 8 hours a day, having fresh clean drinking water at work is needed if you are to meet your daily intake of water. Many people may question why providing drinking water at work is important and one of the main reasons is because it makes your employees more productive, whilst helping them to stay healthy and be alert

In order for you to achieve a more productive work force it may be as simple as installing a water dispenser. Water dispensers are a more efficient way of supplying drinking water to your staff. One of the many benefits is that water dispensers strip away any impurities, and any harsh chemicals such as chlorine, providing fresh, clean and safe drinking water which is so often taken for granted. There are two types of water dispenser on offer a mains fed water dispenser and a bottled fed water dispenser. Mains fed water dispensers supply water through the building’s main water supply but filter it through the filtration system, which can be found in the machine. A Bottled water dispenser is supplied with pre-bottled water that means the water has already been filtered. Fresh water bottles are supplied on either a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on your level of usage.

One of the main reasons why more employers are supplying their staff with a water dispenser system is that it has been proved that a more hydrated workforce is a more productive work force. Being hydrated increases both physical and mental performance and can improve your employees overall efficiency.

Dehydration can lead to many things, such as, feeling dizzy and tired and suffering from headaches. Another benefit of installing a water dispenser in your office is that by supplying your employees with drinking water, it will help them fight off these symptoms, which can inevitably lead to a decline in work production, and in the long run can also help them to stay healthier by enabling them to fight off other illnesses such as the flu.

Everybody wants warmer weather and with summer being just around the corner, you may already be thinking of the hot office environment. By installing a water dispenser it helps your staff lower their body temperature by enabling them to drink cold water. Water dispensers whether it is a mains fed water dispenser or a bottle water dispenser can supply both cold water and room temperature water. A water dispenser will help make you staff more comfortable and much more productive.

Over recent years, water coolers popularity has grown and grown whether they are used for home use or for office use. Majority of water coolers are fitted to offices as they help your employees and colleagues to stay healthy and hydrated. Water coolers are one piece of essential office equipment that shouldn’t be over looked.

If you are looking to have a water cooler installed into your office or home, then you must be fully aware of the benefits. If not here are a few;

–        Water coolers help to keep you and your staff hydrated and cool. Meaning that when you are working you are more comfortable and you are able to concentrate more. A hydrated work force is a more productive work force.

–        By drinking regularly it helps to keep your body healthy by flushing out any bacteria or toxins that may have entered the body.

–        Whether you are renting or purchasing a main fed water cooler or a bottle water cooler, the water is always filtered offering you purer, fresher and safer water to drink.

There are two types of water dispensers; firstly, a mains fed water cooler. This type of water cooler is connected to the building’s main water supply. This is the only downside to this type of water cooler is that it may limit your options as to where to place the water cooler. The water is filtered through the filtration system which is built into the water cooler. A mains fed water cooler offers you unlimited drinking water at the touch of a button.

Secondly, is the bottled water cooler, this type of water cooler allows you to control your usage, as you can organise to have regular deliveries of bottled water to suit your needs and level of usage whether that be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. A bottle water cooler is easy and quick to install and because it is only connected to the mains electricity to help maintain the water temperature, it is easily relocated to anywhere that has a power socket.

You can either rent or purchase both types of water coolers. Many companies prefer to rent, due to the large amount of water companies specialising in water coolers. The growing demand in water coolers ensures that water cooler companies offer good deals, but be sure to shop around first. Included in some of the offers are regular servicing and cleaning of your water cooler by a trained engineer. You should also make sure that the water cooler company you select is a member of the BWCA (British Water Cooler Association. As well as other benefits such as free fitting, low rental prices and free cups, all of these offers depend solely on the package that you choose.

When having a mains fed water cooler or bottled water cooler installed in your office, you can still get a choice of what temperature to have your water. Many water coolers come with two or three taps depending on what you desire. You can have a cold, room temperature or a hot water tap installed. Most water coolers are available in various shapes, sizes and colour meaning that you are guaranteed to find the water cooler to suit your office or home.

The UK’s leading water cooler service provider Angel Springs recently showed their support for raising money for a good cause by providing water for the runners in the Overgate Hospice 10K run.

The Overgate Hospice based in Elland, Halifax provide palliative care to patients who have life limiting illnesses as well as offering the support families need when having loved ones in care. The hospice has been providing care to its patients through their day hospice and specialist advice services for the past 30 years.

On Sunday 10^th April the hospice organised a 10K run in order to raise money to improve the existing facilities at the hospice, the event took place at the Copley Cricket Club and over 300 people took part. Angel Springs provided 300 sports cap bottles of water ensuring all runners taking part were kept fully hydrated.

In order to continue to provide the standard of care the hospice offers they need to raise £5,650 per day and events like this are a way for everyone to get involved.  As a result of the event the hospice was able to raise over £4,000.

Caroline Bone Events Fundraiser from the hospice commented, “The very first Overgate 10k Run was a huge success.  Without the support of local companies such as Angel Springs, we couldn’t have put on the event.  Any monies raised from the event can go directly to patient care – rather than having to have covered expenses such as water for the event. We would like to say a huge thank you from everyone at Overgate Hospice.”

For more information on how you can help the Overgate Hospice please visit the website at www.overgatehospice.org.uk

Wolverhampton MP Pat McFadden came to Angel Springs HQ last week to discuss the launch of the BWCA “Stay Cooler” campaign about the importance of health and hydration in the workplace and rising obesity levels in the general population and how good hydration can help with this.

The campaign will be launched in conjunction with Weber Shandwick a global Public Affairs company and is an initiative aimed to encourage hydration in the workplace, particularly within the public sector as a result of the recent cutbacks the public sector bodies have been obligated to make. Although cuts in the public sector are inevitable, the low cost healthy benefit that water coolers bring is a basic facility for staff in the public sector, often working in older properties that do not have easy access to drinking water.

The ‘Stay Cooler’ campaign will exemplify a cost-effective way to retain employees by enabling them to be happy and healthy in the work place. As hydration in the workplace results in employees being more focused with high morale and better mental and physical efficiency, ultimately reducing the numbers of sick days and absence which costs every business across the UK millions of pounds every year.

Being dehydrated can lead to a number of things such as a lack of concentration, dizziness, and more commonly headaches. Having a water cooler in the office can protect employees from the risk of these symptoms. Good hydration can also help with weight control, as drinking enough water can remove the mistaken desire to eat more when a lack of hydration is the true desire.

Not only does implementing a hydration system in the workplace keep productivity levels up as well as keeping all employees healthy, but it offers a convenient and easily accessible way of providing a refreshing, clean and hygienic alternative to drinking other beverages such as carbonated drinks that cannot provide the same healthy benefits.

Water coolers in the workplace has become a symbolic asset in the office environments and can help with a healthy lifestyle and can help to reduced obesity levels, reducing the future burden on NHS and national economies.