Huddersfield Town’s Pedal4Pounds cyclists have done it again

Almost 300 cyclists left the streets of London on Wednesday to ride back to Huddersfield for the fifth year of the fundraising adventure which is “Pedal For Pounds”. The annual challenge raises cash for the Keep It Up campaign, a dual fund for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Town’s academy – two organisations close to Ferno’s heart.

The 230-mile Herbert Chapman trail, in honour of the 1920s Terriers’ and Arsenal boss, fittingly began at the London club’s Emirates Stadium. And after four-days in the saddle the cyclists were glad to be welcomed by fans at the John Smith’s Stadium for their now traditional lap of honour.

Our Managing Director Jon Ellis and his Pink Team successfully completed the challenge despite Jon carrying an injury. In spite of his dodgy knee he kept pushing the pedals to the finish.

Jon said: “It was fantastic riding into the stadium. It really makes it all worthwhile for people to see their family and friends after more than 250 miles.”

If you haven’t already done so and you wish to  support Jon and this event you can still donate to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign by visiting www.justgiving.com/Jon-Ellis2014 or text KIUP99 £5 to 70070. Jon is aiming to raise £5,000 this time around and has already raised £3,300.

Town chairman, Dean Hoyle, who took part in the ride for the fifth time, said it had been a terrific challenge despite one day of horrendous weather. He said: “To get 300 people doing it for the fifth year on the trot is a credit to everybody. It’s inspiring to see young and old, from 17 to 75-year-olds, and also all the volunteers who give all their time up to come and help.”

Pedal for Pounds: Day Three

Jon and his team in today's Wakefield Express

Our Managing Director – Jon Ellis and the Pink Team successfully completed Day 2 of the “Pedal For Pounds Challenge 5”. Yesterday’s route saw them master a marathon trek of 71.75 miles from Cambridge to Leicester.

The good news from the camp physio is that Jon’s dodgy knee is bearing up well and he is still able to pedal! Such courage in the face of adversity.

Today, will be an even greater test of Jon, the team and the dodgy knee.

Today’s route is even more arduous. Ahead of the cyclists is an epic trail of 78 miles from Leicester to Doncaster. I am betting they will be saddle sore after that!

If you want to check out today’s route (Day 3) you can find it here.

If you haven’t already done so and you wish to  support Jon (and the dodgy knee) and this event  and to donate to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign please visit www.justgiving.com/Jon-Ellis2014 or text KIUP99 £5 to 70070. Jon is aiming to raise £5,000 this time around. Tackling nearly 72 miles yesterday and 78 miles today has got to be worth a few quid in sponsorship for a worthy cause.

Pedal For Pounds 5 Update

Our Managing Director - Jon Ellis and his colleagues from the Pink Team completed the first leg of P4P5 from London to Cambridge yesterday - a journey of 58.5 miles. The good news is that Jon is still full of energy and the dodgy knee is holding up well.

Today the team tackle the second leg of the challenge  - a journey of 71 miles from Cambridge to Leicester.

Good luck to everyone and we hope the weather holds up for you.

You can see details of the route for Day 2 here.

You can still support Jon and this event by donating to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign. Please visit www.justgiving.com/Jon-Ellis2014 or text KIUP99 £5 to 70070 if you wish to donate. Jon is aiming to raise £5,000 this time around

P4P5 fundraising challenge starts today – Heading for the Emirates!

And so it begins. Our Managing Director Jon Ellis with his Pink Team colleagues headed across to the Emirates Stadium in London this morning for the start of the Pedal For Pounds 5 fund raising challenge. The photo shows the Pink Team gathering in readiness for the off with the “Ferno Support Vehicle” in attendance.

As the Pink Link Pedal for Pounds 5 fundraising bike ride, organised by Huddersfield Town Football Club,  gets under way, the route the cyclists will take is detailed below.

Using specialist site MapMyRide, all four days of the route can now be viewed online.

Day one, which will see the cyclists depart the Emirates Stadium and cover almost 90 kilometres before the first overnight stop at Cambridge, is available here.

Day two will see the cyclists pedal from Cambridge to Leicester, is available here.

Day three is the longest on the ride, with cyclists covering over 126 kilometres and climbing over 750 feet between Leicester and Doncaster - check it out here.

The final day will see cyclists arrive at PPG Canalside from Doncaster in preparation for their lap of honour at the John Smith's Stadium.

Almost 300 cyclists are scheduled to take part – including Huddersfield Town’s Chairman Dean Hoyle and of course our very own Managing Director Jon Ellis – in the 250 mile ‘Chapman Trail’ ride from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to the John Smith’s Stadium.

The ride, which is in aid of the ‘Keep It Up’ Campaign, began early this morning with cyclists getting coaches from PPG Canalside down to London. Participants will then set off around midday from the Emirates Stadium, cycling to Cambridge, Leicester and Doncaster over three and a half days. The final day will see the cyclists arrive at the John Smith’s stadium  in time for the last home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday 26 April 2014.

The Club’s previous four bike rides have contributed over £600,000 to the £980,000 to the campaign since its inception in 2009.

To support Jon and this event  and to donate to the ‘Keep It Up’ campaign please visit www.justgiving.com/Jon-Ellis2014 or text KIUP99 £5 to 70070. Jon is aiming to raise £5,000 this time around . He definitely has earned our support this time around as he is undertaking the challenge whilst recovering from a knee injury. Go Jon!

You can also follow all the action on Twitter using the hashtag #p4p5

Ferno's MD shares thoughts on one of his favourite pastimes

The Easter weekend is almost up on us and many football fans around the country will be looking forward to seeing their team in action, not just once but twice as they play on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Many followers of this blog will know that our MD Jon Ellis is a huge Huddersfield Town fan and if you follow the Championship too, you will know that the team is ensuring that Jon will ‘enjoy’ another nail biting end to the season.

There have been some great highlights to the season; beating local rivals Leeds United at home and putting five past Barnsley are both up there with the best performances for Jon. However, just like last year, Town have struggled in the second half of the season leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone with four games to play. Will they manage to secure another season in the Championship?

Here, Jon shares some of his thoughts on the end of season run in:

“I think they will stay up and I think they have done enough to ensure that it all doesn’t come down to the very last day of the season like last year – well that’s what I hope anyway! After a 250 mile bike ride from London for Pedal for Pounds, I’m not sure I could handle the excitement and nerves!

“The team have improved on last season but in the past few months we have given away too many games due to simple mistakes which a team in that league cannot afford to do. There hasn’t been any consistency all season and the players haven’t grasped opportunities individually or as a team.

“It is often the case that the second season in a new league is more challenging than the first and I think this has proved true for Town.  What happens during close season will determine how well we do next. We need new faces coming in to give us a boost.”

What do other football fans think of Town’s chances? With four games to go – one against a team that has already won the league, another against a side battling for a play-off place and another team which is sitting at the foot of the table fighting relegation - is it wishful thinking from Jon that they are going to survive?

We also want to hear how your own favourite teams are doing in the final few games of the season. Share your thoughts on your team’s performance in the comments below.

Have a great Easter break!

CNN captures Ferno bariatric equipment in action

Take a look at this video broadcast on CNN in America. It features some of Ferno’s specialist bariatric equipment in action as ambulance crews and firefighters move a patient weighing 800lb in Florida.
You can see how our POWERFlexx trolley and Large Body Surface (LBS) Mattress makes the job easier and safer for everyone involved – both patient and the medical team.
Our POWERFlexx trolley  has been specially designed to meet the increased demand for transport management of bariatric patients. It will lift 318 kg at the touch of a button or transport up to 454 kg in the lowest transport height, significantly minimising the risk of associated lifting injuries to users. A wide wheel base and low centre of gravity provides great stability over all types of terrain.
The unique design of the LBS Mattress enables the width of the POWERFlexx trolley to be increased to 106cm for larger patients. It features folding wings for better manoeuvrability through doorways and tight walkways, whilst ensuring the patient is kept comfortable during transportation.

An extra special surprise…

 Ferno (UK) Ltd. celebrated the 50th birthday of Service Technician, Trevor Smith on Thursday 10th April during the company’s quarterly Commercial Team Meeting.

There was a birthday cake in the shape of the number 50 and 50th birthday cards. The only problem was…Trevor was actually 50 two years ago! We were close. . .only two years and a few days out! Oh well, it must have been the funniest birthday celebration in Ferno history, even if it can’t claim to be the most accurate.

We think it must be working at Ferno that’s keeping him looking so young.

Ferno lends support to firefighters’ “Dutch Courage Challenge”

A team of firefighters from one of our local stations is taking part in an epic challenge to raise money for two charities close to their hearts.
Beginning on 17th October 2014, members of Cleckheaton Blue Watch will take part in the “Dutch Courage Challenge”, pedalling 500 miles non-stop through England, France, Belgium and Holland before running the Amsterdam Marathon on 19th October.
The firefighters are raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity and Yorkshire Cancer Research. The two charities have been chosen by a colleague of theirs who has been diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer.
Ferno has donated £250 to support them in their bid to complete the tough challenge.
The team is still looking for support, whether it be through financial donations at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/cleckheatonbluewatch or by offering any of the following:

• Personal/company sponsorship.

• A gift to use as a competition prize.

• Sourcing event T-shirts and printing.

• Helping them source back up vehicles.

• Fuel for vehicles.

• Ferry crossings

• Hold a coffee morning.

• Hold a non-uniform day.

• Help provide catering for the trip.

Start the day with the Town Foundation

More than 100 school children tucked into breakfast with Huddersfield Town players and club chairman Dean Hoyle this morning.

Dean and players, Alex Smithies, Danny Ward and Joel Lynch, attended Dalton Junior & Infants School breakfast club and signed autographs before having a mini-match with pupils.

Schools across Huddersfield and the surrounding areas are hosting breakfast clubs with the support of the Huddersfield Town Foundation. Ferno is a firm supporter of the charity, regularly raising money for it and supporting various events. Earlier this week we announced a £3,000 donation and in March our Debbie James and Jo Ryan enjoyed a breakfast date with pupils at Ashbrow School.

The aim of the Town Foundation is to help improve the quality of life for young people across Huddersfield and West Yorkshire. It was the brainchild of Dean Hoyle and has grown significantly since its launch in July 2012 gaining significant support from many businesses and organisations. It not only offers  financial support but also  goodwill and further assistance in the form of expertise and time.

The breakfast clubs were launched in March 2013 in a bid to provide children with a healthy nutritious meal to start the day. Just 12 months on, more than 100,000 breakfasts have been served through the Foundation’s 14 clubs.

Schools which host the clubs have reported that pupil attendance has soared, behaviour and learning has improved, social skills have developed and many parents and carers have become active volunteers.

Another innovative project that the Town Foundation is incredibly proud of is “The Huddersfield Town Foundation Reading Diary” which launched in November 2012. After learning that a National Trust literacy study revealed that children are reading less now than ever, the charity decided to take action.  The complimentary diaries allow pupils and parents to read together and track their progress, whilst including important messages communicated through football.

More initiatives are in the pipeline to ensure that the Town Foundation continues to develop and impact upon thousands of children and families in West Yorkshire. Ferno is looking forward to supporting those plans and to developing even closer ties with the charity in the future.

You can find out more about the Huddersfield Town Foundation here at  http://www.htafcfoundation.com/

Ferno welcomes the North East Critical Care Network to Ferno House

On Tuesday 8th April 2014 Ferno (UK) Ltd were delighted to welcome representatives from the North East Critical Care Network to Ferno House.

The North East Critical Care Network consists of representatives from the North East Hospital NHS Trusts and the North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trust who are committed to the safe inter-hospital transportation of critically ill patients.

Ferno are working with the North East Critical Care Network to design and manufacture customised critical care trolleys for the safe transportation of the critically ill patient.

It was an enjoyable and productive day with some very interesting and fruitful discussions.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service praise for a ‘fantastic piece of equipment’

Last week we had a visit from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) to present us with a certificate of appreciation following Ferno's donation of a Scoop EXL Stretcher to be used by the Service’s Birkenshaw Training Division.

Chris King, our Business Development Manager, was the first point of contact from Ferno back in October 2013 where he identified the need for a Scoop EXL. He initially placed the product on evaluation prior to donating it to the WYFRS.

The picture shows, left to right, Penny North, Ferno’s Internal Sales Co-ordinator and Jon Ellis Ferno’s Managing Director; receiving the certificate of appreciation from Richard Mawson, Training Centre Manager, WYFRS, Birkenshaw.

The Ferno Scoop EXL is used by WYFRS for trauma training, road traffic collision procedures and casualty care.

Richard Mawson, Training Centre Manager at Birkenshaw Station, along with his colleagues Andy Greenwood, Watch Commander; and John Warwick, Crew Commander; told us that the Ferno Scoop EXL Stretcher “is a fantastic piece of equipment, especially for spinal injuries”.

WYFRS went on to say that they are very grateful to Ferno for donating the stretcher to their training team.

Ferno extends partnership with Huddersfield Town Foundation

Pictured left to right are Jo Ryan, Ferno’s HR Business Partner; Luigi Vernazza, Ferno’s Commercial Director; Jon Ellis, Ferno’s Managing Director; Mandy Taylor, Huddersfield Town Foundation’s Corporate Fundraising Officer; Gayna Goalby, Extended Schools Co-ordinator at Westborough High; and Margaret Merkle, Ferno’s Finance Director.

At Ferno we are delighted to announce that we have made a further donation of £3,000 to the Huddersfield Town Foundation which provides breakfast meals and support to schools within the Kirklees area.

It was nice to welcome Mandy Taylor, Town Foundation’s Corporate Fundraising Officer to our offices together with Gayna Goalby, Extended Schools Co-ordinator at Westborough High. The picture shows our Managing Director Jon Ellis receiving a Huddersfield Town Foundation certificate of appreciation for this further donation.

For every pound donated, Dean Hoyle - the founder of the Town Foundation - matches it pound for pound!

At Ferno we are very supportive of working in the community and this initiative will further grow our partnership in the future. During the visit we discussed the possibility of having final year students come to Ferno to be inspired by all aspects of the company. We hope this will sow a seed regarding which career they may be interested in pursuing in the future.

Although there is still a lot of work to be done, it was agreed in principle that there is the potential to work closer with schools within the Kirklees area and to also include other business partners of the Town Foundation in such an initiative.

Into action with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service

A commemorative book featuring dramatic photos of major blazes tackled by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is being launched to celebrate 40 years since the brigade formed.

Images of Fire: Into action with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, is being released to mark four decades since the seven city/county borough brigades across the region amalgamated to form West Yorkshire Fire Service in April 1974.

Revealing the true bravery of Firefighters on the ground at major incidents, the photos capture the physicality of the action close-up, as well as the emotional story often etched on their faces.

Examples of incidents featured include the 1975 Kirkgate Market blaze in Leeds, the 1985 tragic Bradford City Football Ground fire which killed 56 people and injured many others, and the 1994 mill fire in Spring Mill Street, Bradford.

Another significant incident featured is the Allied Colloids chemical plant fire in Bradford in 1992.

The book also takes a look back in time at how the brigade has evolved through technological and cultural changes.

WYFRS Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: “’Images of Fire’ is dedicated to all the men and women who have helped provide and deliver a tremendous service to the public and business communities of West Yorkshire over the last 40 years.”

CFO Pilling also uses the book to pay a lasting tribute to Fireman Jeff Naylor who paid the ultimate sacrifice when he died in July 1983, more than two months after suffering severe burns attempting to rescue children from a house fire in Keighley. He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. The fire also claimed the lives of two children, however, three youngsters were saved.

Former Chief Fire Officer of Devon Fire and Rescue Service, Neil Wallington, who is now an International Fire and Rescue Consultant, compiled the book in collaboration with a small team from WYFRS.  Neil is a prolific writer on the work of the fire service, and “Images of Fire” is his 18th book.

He added: "My new West Yorkshire title contains some of the most dramatic images of the Fire Service in action ever captured by the camera."

The images have all been taken by WYFRS’ photographic team - the recently retired Brian Saville as well as Andrew Hanson and Ken Wilkinson, who work in the Visual Services department.

The West Yorkshire Fire Service was formed in 1974 when the West Riding and County Borough Brigades were amalgamated. This saw the West Riding County Fire Service, Leeds City Fire Brigade, Wakefield City Fire Brigade, Dewsbury County Borough Fire Brigade, Halifax County Borough Fire Brigade, Huddersfield County Borough Fire Brigade and Bradford City Fire Brigade come together.

The book will be available to buy in shops for £14.99 or direct from the publishers, Jeremy Mills Publishing, on 01484 463340 or by visiting www.firebookshop.co.uk.

New Fire Control opened by Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire

Congratulations to West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS)  which has opened its new state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre in Leeds at an official ceremony attended by the Lord-Lieutenant Dr Ingrid Roscoe.

The new centre will receive all 999 emergency fire and rescue calls across the county and represents West Yorkshire Authority’s continuing commitment to Making West Yorkshire safer.

The current centre will be moving this summer from its present location at WYFRS’s Birkenshaw headquarters, where it has been situated for the last 40 years.

This project is in collaboration with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue which allows both services to provide fallback arrangements; enabling each to provide assistance to one another where needed. The collaboration has involved a significant joint investment in the procurement of a new state-of-the-art mobilising and communications system. The partnership will ultimately provide improvements in service delivery and much needed efficiencies.

Brigade control originally came to the Birkenshaw headquarters in 1974 when the West Yorkshire Fire Service was formed and the West Riding, County Borough, and City Brigades were amalgamated.

Back then, mobilising staff used simple card wheel indexes to find addresses, a system which continued until 1987, when the brigade’s first computerised mobilising system was brought in. Communications packages have advanced over the years with upgrades to accommodate the latest software.

Project Director, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Steve Beckley said: “The new Command and Control Centre in Leeds is a major step forward and has been designed to house the very latest in emergency control centre technology. A collaboration project with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will see the introduction of the new system later in the summer.” 

Countdown to Pedal For Pounds 5

It’s just three weeks until “Pedal for Pounds 5” gets underway and our Managing Director - Jon Ellis is putting in some serious training time in preparation for the gruelling 250 mile bike ride from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London to Huddersfield Town’s home- the John Smith’s Stadium.

The annual charity cycle event raises money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance via the “Keep It Up” campaign. This is a cause close to our hearts here at Ferno, and also to Huddersfield Town’s Academy.

The cycle route is nicknamed the 'Chapman Trail' after the former Huddersfield Town and Arsenal manager - Herbert Chapman. The marathon cycling event will begin on April 23 and the cyclists will call at Cambridge, Leicester and Doncaster before ending at the John Smith’s stadium for Huddersfield Town's final home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday, April 26.

Herbert Chapman managed Huddersfield Town between 1921 and 1925 and won an FA Cup and two First Division titles in the space of four years. Arsenal tempted Chapman to join them in 1925 and he then brought the Gunners the FA Cup and two First Division titles.

With three weeks still to go, there is still time to donate and support Jon. He is hoping to raise £5,000 this time round and has just passed the half way point of this sponsorship target. Visit his fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Jon-Ellis2014 if you wish to sponsor and support Jon and this event.

Find Ferno on twitter (click the button on this page) and tweet your messages of support to Jon as we count down to the big event.

Innovations in child transport safety

Our Operations Director Alan Clark and Managing Director Jon Ellis welcomed Patrik Thornström, Production, Purchasing and Technical Manager at AB Germa Sweden – a Ferno Group company – and Pär Andersson, Chief Executive at PACAB, to our offices at Cleckheaton.

PACAB is a product development company based in Sweden which develops transportation security products for sick children. The company was founded by Pär in 2004.

Jon says: “We were discussing some new innovations in child restraint systems to improve patient safety and comfort for babies transported on ambulances and in incubators.

Having met some customers we are delighted with the response received which proves that we are on the right track to solving the issues faced with transporting such delicate paediatric patients. We thank both Patrik and Pär for their visit and for sharing these new ideas with us and we look forward to the opportunity of bringing these products to market here in the UK.”

Pictured, left to right, are Ferno operations director Alan Clark; Patrik Thornström from AB Germa; Pär Andersson, chief executive of PACAB, Ferno product manager Michael Thornton and Ferno managing director Jon Ellis.

The Future Is Here: iN∫X - The iNtegrated Patient Transport & Loading System from Ferno

We are pleased to announce that the iN∫X our new integrated patient transport and loading system has been launched in the USA.

Every-day operations such as lifting, lowering, loading and unloading, increase the risk of personal injury to emergency medical staff. This often results in lost workdays and even lost careers.

The iN∫X system was created with extensive feedback from a global network of emergency medical professionals to protect you from the risk of injury at every step of the call. The iN∫X is designed to make your job easier while enhancing the delivery of care.

As mentioned above, the initial launch has taken place in the USA. Although the iN∫X is not immediately available in the UK, we will be working closely with Ambulance end users and Vehicle Builders as we bring the product to market over the next 12-18 months………. WATCH THIS SPACE!

Browse the full set of features here or email us for further information at sales@ferno.co.uk

On The Spot: Sarah Wright

On The Spot gives us an opportunity to get to know something about our colleagues. Today it is Production Operative Sarah Wright

What was your first job?
Making chicken kievs at Parkam Foods.

In less than 200 words describe your job at Ferno.
Paraguard production which involves fabric cutting, component picking, web measuring and cutting, stock rotation, checking quality and packaging the final product.

What would be your ideal day out of the office?
Going to London for the day and seeing a show in the West End. My husband took me there on a short break to see Les Miserables, and I really enjoyed it.

Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why?
My sister who emigrated to Canada 14 years ago. It would be good to have a catch up over dinner.

What was your best subject at school?
Maths.

What would you do if you won the national lottery?
Buy a new house, new car, have a good holiday and give some money to my family.

What is your favourite garment and why?
My pink fluffy dressing gown as it is so comfy to wear after my bath or shower.

What was your worst mistake and why?
None that I can think of!

What is your favourite time of day and why?
Bedtime. Being able to relax before going to sleep.

Top five favourite songs of all time?
Just click on the links to see more…
Neil Diamond: Love on the rocks
Beyonce: Irreplaceable
Amy Winehouse: Valerie
Alanis Morissette: Ironic
Fleetwood Mac: Everywhere