Over 300 supporters of GM Fundraising donned 70's garb and danced the night away at the 10th GMF Gala Dinner at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham. The event was supported by many glazing industry stalwarts from Wegoma, Business Micros, Haffner, Deceuninck, Eurocell, Mila, Select Window Systems, KEB Fabrications, Patterson & Rothwell, Thermoseal Group, Fabstore, Central CRC and West Yorkshire Windows, as well as members of the trade press.

Spokesperson for GMF, Gary Morton, was enthusiastic: "Once again I am amazed at the glazing industry's capacity to embrace the GM Fundraising cause. Through the generosity of our sponsors and supporters we will be adding a total of over £39,336.85 to our fund for Hope House Children's Hospices. This is a fantastic achievement. The combination of everyone dressing up in fashion from the decade taste forgot, the room being dressed in 70's style and truly great entertainment, means this was probably the most enjoyable GMF Gala Dinner yet."

With the organising team adopting a Butlins Red Coat theme, other fashion disasters included a Bay City Rollers/Sex Pistols hybrid table, too many afro wigs and pimp outfits to count, as well as guest appearances by Noddy Holder, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Arsenal's Charlie George, Elvis Presley, Richard O'Brien, Ozzy Osbourne and various members of Abba.

The last word went to Gary, but reflected the thoughts of all those involved in the fundraising team: "Supporting the kids and families of Hope House is a serious business for us but I am delighted that GM Fundraising lived up to its motto of putting the fun into fundraising and nobody parties like the glazing industry!"

Over 3,000 Miles Across America In September 2008 the Ride 4 Hope team will set off on bicycles from Oceanside, just outside San Diego on a 3043 mile trip across the USA in to Atlantic City, climbing over 100,000 feet in the process. Over 16 days, this will equate to a daily average of around 200 miles which will be carried out as 3 teams of four on a rotational basis, resulting in a 12 hour day.

During the trip the riders will be faced with many different challenges including a high point of 10,000ft above sea level in Colorado and one single day which covering 270 miles. Excessive temperatures in Nevada will also pose a test to the riders and nutritional expertise will be harnessed throughout the challenge.

Each rider will undertake a gruelling training programme which will be supported by coaching, dietary consultation and a number of training camps both in the UK and overseas. This process has already begun.

Please contact us for further information or to make a donation.

The Ride 4 Hope team will include 12 cyclists from the glazing, construction and related industries, each having spent nearly 18 months training for this important and worthy challenge. Supporting the cyclists will also be a number of support crew who will provide the necessary and crucial back up for the arduous 16 days across the USA.

Many of the cyclists will have already completed the Top 2 Bottom ride in 2005 which was a 974 mile trip from John O'Groats to Lands End. In 2006 several of the team also completed the Tower 2 Tower ride from Eiffel Tower, Paris to Blackpool Tower. Each of the Ride 4 Hope riders will demonstrate a commitment to achieving both personal goals and those for the raising of important funds for Hope House Children's Hospices.

In September 2008 the Ride 4 Hope team will set off on a 16 day journey across the USA from Oceanside near San Diego, California to Atlantic City, New Jersey. This route has already been plotted via a satellite navigation system showing every road and junction the team will endure.

This route begins with a long climb on to the west side of the Rockies reaching a peak of 10,000 foot in Cuchara, Colorado. During this part of the ride the cyclists will have to suffer 20 mile climbs and long days in the saddle. The route then takes the team across the plains of the mid-West to St Louis.

From here the route heads through Indianapolis and over the challenging and steep Appalachian mountains to the destination of Atlantic City where the team will be welcomed by friends and family.