We were winners of the ‘Green Award’ at the North West’s Sefton Business Awards 2007/08. Sponsored by the National environmental charity Groundwork, judges described MAPS as “role models” and were impressed by our “comprehensive and robust environmental policy”.

All businesses can benefit by operating in an environmentally friendly way. Though some initiatives may be more expensive, others prove far cheaper and so your business bottom-line will be improved.

Even options which, on the face of it, seem more expensive can turn out to be otherwise by looking into them a little further. When we switched to green electricity sourced from wind farms initially, when doing the maths, it appeared to be more expensive. We then saw, however, that the climate change levy is waived when the monthly unit threshold is exceeded. We worked out that we could in fact make a substantial saving. It sometimes pays to do your homework!

For all things green try search engine www.greenmaven.com

We shall be exhibiting at the ALARM Annual Conference, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 30th June and 1st July, at Stand 43.

ALARM, the national forum for risk management in the Public Sector, attracts a broad range of Public Sector organisations that are able to meet providers of a variety of services in order to minimise drains on their resources.

We shall also be at the National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference and Exhibition, held at Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday 2nd – Wednesday 3rd September, on Stand 134. Fleet managers from the Emergency Services and service providers to this industry will be attending to share information and best practise.

Peter Woodroffe, Head of Public Sector Business Development at MAPS, will be at both events to welcome all who would like to know what MAPS can offer specifically for them.

When Nigel Beck from Kayes Solicitors asked us to sponsor him at the Leeds 10K Jane Tomlinson’s ‘run for all’ we jumped at the chance. So far Nigel has raised over £500 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

His official time was 1hr 4 mins 41 secs finishing ahead of the lion, a group of cavemen and two champagne bottles. Unfortunately, Spiderman was just too quick for him!

Birkdale United under 14’s girls team were chosen to represent the Liverpool league at a major football tournament in Manchester. Teams travelled from all over the UK and even the Isle of Man. Birkdale were knocked out after playing four games. They needed to win their last game against a side from North Yorkshire and were 1-0 ahead at half time. Unfortunately they were beaten 2-1 and went home early which was a blessing as the weather was terrible!