insideKENT Magazine Issue 79 - October 2018 | Page 163

NEWS CRIPPS LAWYERS TAKE TO THE SADDLE FOR CHARITY Partners and staff from Cripps took to their bikes once again to raise money for charity in the law firm’s annual ‘Tour de Cripps’ challenge. The team cycled a punishing 100km circular route between the firm’s Tunbridge Wells and Kings Hill offices, taking them though a number of Kent villages, including Headcorn, Wateringbury and Shipbourne. They were cycling to raise money for their charity of the year, Rethink Mental Illness, which directly supports almost 60,000 peop le every year to help them through crises and live independently. The charity operates more than 200 mental health services and 150 support groups across England, providing psychological therapies, peer support groups, housing services and recovery houses. This year’s Tour de Cripps team included managing partner Gavin Tyler, Craig Bowers, Patrick Glencross, Pete Kenyon, Kathryn Rogers and Aleks Wulff. “This is the fourth year the challenge has taken place and after watching from afar for the last few years I felt it was time for me to take the saddle,” said Gavin. “Rethink Mental Illness is our charity of the year and provides amazing support for those suffering from mental illness as well as their carers, so although the bike ride was grueling in parts, it was a pleasure to support such a worthwhile organisation.” More activities are planned for the rest of the year. Anyone wishing to donate will find details on www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ tourdecripps. KENT OPTICIAN SAVES MANS LIFE A Kent businessman says he owes his life to an optician who spotted the early signs of an extremely rare tumour – after being given the all clear by another optician. 31-year-old property developer Tim Vince, from Maidstone, has spent six months recovering from complications resulting from having a large, two-in-a-million craniopharyngioma tumour removed, but says he may not be alive if Satvinder Shoker, who runs Kings Hill Opticians, hadn’t spotted the early warning signs. KENT SHOPPING CENTRE LAUNCHES SPOOKY STORY COMPETITION As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community, The Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne is challenging all budding young writers to create a spooky story this Halloween and be in with the chance of winning a special prize for themselves and their school. “Sat Shoker saved my life,” said Mr. Vince. “If he hadn’t seen that something was wrong and made me an urgent referral to the hospital, and if the tumour hadn’t been diagnosed or if I had just been fobbed off like I was when I first went for an eye test at a high-street chain because my vision wasn’t right, who knows what could have happened. If Mr. Shoker hadn’t got me in the system so quickly, I could have lost my eyesight, or I could have died. Even though my tumour was benign, when it’s in the brain it doesn’t have anywhere to expand into, so the consequences are serious.” KHO Satvinder Shoker, Tim Vince, Sarah Vince Youngsters of all ages are invited to let their imaginations run wild and write a story by finishing this opening paragraph: “The cold night air surrounded Sarah as she walked along the deserted cobbles, alone. Aware it was Halloween, Sarah thought of her friends all out trick or treating and wished she was with them. A noise sounded in the distance, which Sarah realised was getting closer and closer. Holding her breath, she stopped in her tracks and slowly, carefully, turned her head...” What happens next to Sarah is up to the young writers. Those taking part are invited to email their story to [email protected] or post to The Forum Shopping Centre’s Spooky Stories Competition, c/o PMW Communications Ltd, Stane Court, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9HP by the closing date of Sunday 14th October. The winning child will not only receive a handful of prizes, but their school will also win a £100 voucher to spend at The Works in The Forum. 163