Month: March 2025

Leamington foodie champion Bianca Rodrigues-Perry has teamed up with a local children’s charity for an exclusive special episode of her cooking show to mark Mother’s Day.

The well-known foodie, presenter and author is releasing the latest episode of her Bia’s Kitchen Show on Sunday (March 30^th) in which she turns the spotlight on Molly Ollys founder Rachel Ollerenshaw.

Rachel established Molly Ollys with husband Tim in 2011 following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

The Warwick-based charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing more than 4,300 wishes to date, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Olly The Brave is a therapeutic toy that helps children understand their treatment journey. Along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series, stock the lion and books now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres to distribute to children undergoing treatment. Olly has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

Part of more than £5m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and pay for the training of a further two consultants.

The episode, which airs from Sunday, will see Bianca recreate a special chicken soup, a favourite of Molly’s, whilst in conversation with Rachel, to learn more about the incredible work of the charity.

Rachel said: “When undergoing cancer treatment your tastes can change and foods that you previously liked are suddenly less appealing. Having nutritious meals is really important to try and keep us as healthy as possible and Molly certainly tried to fill up with lots of healthy stuff, as well as comfort foods on days when she was struggling.

“Molly was a fan of chicken soup so it was lovely for Bia to make a twist on one of her favourites. I am very grateful to Bia for inviting me to do this very poignant show for Mother’s Day. What is also special is that my mum who is no longer alive also made a delicious chicken soup so here’s to her too!”

Since January 2024 Bia’s Kitchen Show has highlighted some of the best of the area’s foodie scene when it is streams twice-monthly to audiences on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. The show is an extension of her successful Bia’s Kitchen brand, featuring local independent chefs and restaurateurs cooking signature dishes as well as her own top tips and recipes.

As well as championing local independent businesses, the passion project is also rooted in her own desire to support charities, including other special episodes dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness and, coming soon, Coventry Foodbank. The proceeds of her first recipe book, released at the end of last year, are also being donated to a cause close to her heart, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

Of the upcoming Mother’s Day episode, Bianca said: “I am truly honoured to have had Rachel join us, and to have the opportunity to cook one of Molly’s favourite dishes, Chicken Soup.

Hearing Rachel’s story was incredibly moving. She has taken the unimaginable pain of losing a child and transformed it into a powerful force of strength and hope. Through Molly Ollys, she continues Molly’s legacy by providing invaluable support to countless children and their families. It is a testament to the incredible impact one person can have in spreading love and hope during challenging times.

“This is one of the reasons I created Bia’s Kitchen Show—to use this platform for good in the world. By sharing stories like Rachel’s, we aim to inspire others to make positive changes in their communities. Our show is a celebration of resilience, compassion and the power of coming together to make a difference.”

Viewers tuning in for the special episode will also have the chance to win a Molly Ollys Gin Basket, containing Molly Ollys Pink Gin, distilled by Shakespeare Distillery, plus other branded items.

To see previous episodes of Bia’s Kitchen Show and, from Sunday, the Mother’s Day episode, visit HERE.

Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude is available for order from Bia’s Kitchen Show at HERE.

To find out more about the work of Molly Ollys or how you can help or donate visit HERE.

Celebrating female resilience was the focus of a special event as part of the recent International Women’s Day.

The day, which had the theme of Accelerate Action, was jointly organised by two local groups which advocate for women, Ladies First Professional Development in Balsall Common and Shakespeare Soroptimists in Stratford-upon-Avon.

It also raised more than £600 through a raffle in aid of Refuge, a charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Hosted by Stratford’s Sally Bee, keynote speakers were Captain Emma Henderson MBE; Nicky Pattinson and Natalie Heeley.

One of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide, ‘Captain Emma’ talked about her journey from commanding aircraft at 37,000 feet to founding the acclaimed Project Wingman during the pandemic.

As an award-winning CEO, Aviation Ambassador, and recipient of an MBE for services to charity, she has worked with prestigious organisations including NatWest, RBS, EDF, WTW, the NHS, Boeing and GE Aerospace, delivering transformative insights and actionable strategies. Currently preparing to climb Kilimanjaro, Emma embodies the spirit of continuous challenge and growth that she advocates in her talks.

Global speaker and coach focused on women being visible, Nicky Pattinson has made it and lost it and is currently on the way to making it again. She is a force of nature, with a big past story, and life and work experience that has turned around the fortune of some of the most well-known brands in the UK.

 Natalie Heeley is a mum of three and a top leader in network marketing with Forever Living Products. She has also written two books—one sharing an inspirational personal journey and another focused on mindset and success.

Her message and story is one of resilience and inspiration for working mums all over the globe, drawing on her own experiences to deliver talks at trainings, presentations, events, recognition days and seminars, both at home and internationally.

The event, at Stratford Town Hall, was jointly hosted by Sally Bee, President of Shakespeare Soroptimists and Tracey McAtamney, Director of Ladies First, from Balsall Common.

As a motivational speaker, broadcaster and author, Sally delivers talks around the world on the subjects of mental health and wellbeing, positivity, confidence and the support and empowerment of women and girls in all societies.

Having survived six heart attacks, Sally speaks about the moment she had to say goodbye to her husband and 3 children, closing her eyes and taking her final breath. Her next miracle breath was the first of her new life.

She has since gone on to write six bestselling cookery books, her latest book, ‘Don’t go faster than your guardian angel can fly’ is about women supporting women and has become a global bestseller.

She said: “The event was a true celebration of the power, resilience, and brilliance of women. As President of Shakespeare Soroptimists, I was honoured to join forces with Ladies First Professional Networking Group to create a space that inspired and empowered every woman and girl who attended. Together, we lifted each other up, shared our stories, and proved that when women support women, incredible things happen.”

Tracey McAtamney is the leader of Ladies First Professional Development Network, a national networking group which organises events and awards for inspirational female achievers across the UK. This year’s awards, which were launched in style at The House of Commons last month, are still open for nominations until March 15th.

She was named a Platinum Champion in the Jubilee awards celebrating dedication to volunteering with her Surviving Bereavement foundation which offers legal, financial and emotional support for bereaved families as well as Memory Boxes.

Tracey said: “Ladies First were delighted to work in collaboration with Shakespeare Soroptimists celebrating IWD as we share the same values and ethos, we believe, as a community by supporting each other and working in collaboration we are stronger together. The room was filled with a mixture of businesswomen and students from local schools who were recognised for their achievements. The message was to inspire, inform and introduce. But also, to recognise that domestic abusive is not just physical but can be also emotional and financial! Such an inspiring and empowering day!”

A Q&A panel discussion concluded the formal part of the day, involving event sponsors Siobhan Rowlands and Hester MacLean of Edwards Wealth Management; Julie McGarrigle, Business Director at Alsters Kelley Solicitors; Hannah Watson of Grenfell James Associates in Stratford; Perm Bassi, Founder of Unique Therapies in Warwick; and Bianca Rodrigues-Perry of Bia’s Marketing, Production & PR in Leamington.

Other sponsors include Air Aesthetics & Wellness Clinics, based in Henley-in-Arden, Leamington Spa, Edgbaston and St Albans, Hertfordshire; The Arden Hotel, Stratford; Anita Dinnes, business mentor in Stratford; Katie Wilber, of Cotswold Connected; Amanda Chalmers of Chalmers News PR in Warwick; Nishi Mehta of Embrace Inclusion Limited, Birmingham; and Vicky Farmer, health and nutrition coach at DipN&WM.

Sally Bee added: “Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

“We can call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias, celebrate women’s success, and so much more. Additionally, sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is key.”

About the Soroptimists

A network of just under 65,000 club members in 118 countries works at a local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls.

VISION

Women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

MISSION

Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

PRINCIPLES

The principles of the Soroptimists are to strive for: • The advancement of the status of women • High ethical standards • Human rights for all • Equality, development and peace and • The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.

More information HERE

About Ladies First

Ladies First is an organisation based on three principles referred to as the 3 I’s – to Inspire, to Inform and to Introduce.

They hold monthly meetings which hear from inspirational speakers, provide informative business skills workshops and make new introductions.

The group welcomes members and drop-in guests and is an inclusive network involving women of all backgrounds and cultures regardless of what stage they are at in their business life or career, the only requirement being that you have aspirations and the desire to help other women!

More information HERE.