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Donate your unwanted toys to Argos and help raise funds for Barnardo's.

There are 3.6 million children living below the poverty line in the UK, which is almost a third of all children. These families living in poverty have just £12 per day per person for everything they need such as food, heating, clothes, electricity, transport and toys.  Between 17 October and 27 November, Argos are asking families to bring in their unwanted toys to local Barnardo’s or Argos stores . The toys will go on to be sold in Barnardo’s stores to raise funds that will transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children. In exchange, for your donation you’ll receive a voucher worth £5 off your next Argos toy purchase over £35.  

Please help support this fantastic campaign.  Argos are asking people to share what they’re donating on Twitter with the #ArgosToyExchange hashtag or blog a post supporting the campaign.  

For more information check the Argos website here.

On Wednesday night, at the Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge, Shelley Wilkinson was crowned the winner of Dream Idea’s Britain’s Got 1 Million Ideas competition.

Shelley Wilkinson has already won numerous accolades for her Hampshire Chutney Company, including First Place awarded for Best Local Producer at the Royal County of Berkshire Show, and is currently a finalist for “Entrepreneur of the Year” for the Inspire Business awards. She now stands to benefit considerably from our comprehensive team of mentors.

The Dream Idea team pride themselves on championing entrepreneurs, and a couple of months ago Dream Idea launched its most exciting competition yet; a mentoring competition where entrepreneurs were given the chance to win a comprehensive mentoring package, and give their businesses the best possible start. In these tough economic times Dream Idea is part of a crucial movement which is encouraging businesses to blossom.

On why they felt so strongly about starting this competition, Dream Idea founders John Rebholz and Stephen Smith had this to say, “We created #BGI1 to recognise some of the brilliant ideas and entrepreneurs that are out there. It also demonstrates how Dream Idea can help you and your ideas. We wanted to help them succeed by creating a package that gives them support and guidance, crucial for any start-up venture!”

The team of mentors put together were specially chosen for their variety of skills, and level of expertise in their respective fields. Agnes Cserhati, a mentor and personal development coach brings more than 21 years experience of working with Businesses and Entrepreneurs to the table. Agnes states: “I am passionate about entrepreneurship and growing and developing people and businesses. Therefore I was delighted to sponsor the competition with £1,100 worth of mentoring package. I very much look for to working with the winner and being part of taking Hampshire Chutney Co to the next level.”

Legal advice on setting up a new business comes from Managing Director of Kiteleys, Mark Kiteley, whilst Neil Armstrong is on-hand to answer any marketing or creative queries. Managing Director of Kiteleys solicitors: “My firm have been delighted to play a part in the success of BGI1. The competition presents an opportunity to work with the innovators, movers and shakers of the future at the start of their journey. Although proud to be a part of the “mentor” scheme, I do hope to find the mentors have as much to learn from the applicants as they from us”.

Dream Idea founder Stephen Smith has been enlisted to advise on business strategy, and finally accountant Peter Stamps completes the team with his financial know-how. "Being a new small business, I know how important the right help and support is to make a dream idea a reality. That is why I wanted to be part of the competition to pass on what I had learnt to others. Congratulations to Hampshire Chutney, I am looking forward to meeting you."

Shelley Wilkinson, founder of the Hampshire Chutney Company, has certainly got a good team behind her now.

“If anyone reading this has an idea they would really like pushing forward then Dream Idea UK can really help you do this. Their whole concept is a breath of fresh air and is exactly what is needed for people like you and me who could benefit from having experts guide you step by step passionately, enthusiastically and honestly.”

About Dream Idea:
Dream Idea is an online community platform bringing entrepreneurs, business experts and investors together in order to help entrepreneurs where they need it in the process of starting and running businesses.

Dream Idea was set up by John Rebholz and Steve Smith who understand the importance of networking in business and set out to provide a less time-consuming and daunting platform for networking, meeting investors and collaborating.

More information about Dream Idea and the Mentoring competition can be found at DreamIdea.co.uk

Contact information:
For more information, imagery or to discuss coverage options, please contact Roz Skellorn at Cre8ive Wisdom on 01202 707032. Alternatively, email roz@cre8ivewisdom.com.