The summer has certainly been a busy one, even with half a cricket season lost to the rain! The last two weeks of July was packed with JCI events. It all started with the JCI Barnsley triathlon on one of the hottest days of the year which included one of our new found Chamber activities of laser quest, training is already underway for next year's event!

We then had the perfect insight into networking with Brian Butcher's P.D. course, one which everyone in the room will have learned from. The month finished with something I never envisaged myself doing with JCI, and that was being a guest with 3 other members on our very own Jodie's radio show. This certainly was a fun and different way of spreading the word of JCI Barnsley and our community project (Yorkshire's Hidden Heroes) all over the world!

Not only did August bring the Olympics, but a JCI Yorkshire battle for The Wharfedale Quiz which was duly won by one of our two teams, with our second team only a small margin behind. Our members will be doing their "swatting up" all winter to ensure the title is defended next year!

Amongst all the JCI events I have somehow found time to train for my greatest challenge yet, which is to attempt a marathon for the first time - the streets of Chester won't know what will hit them on Sunday 7th October, and neither do I! With a dodgy ankle I have somehow got myself up to 22 miles, as they say we will leave the rest to the theory of "It'll be alright on the night". Having made a trip to London to see the Paralympics I have been inspired (and hopefully the Olympic Committee have been with our own triathlon - watch out for it in Brazil). My attempt will be in aid of JCI Barnsley's nominated 2012 charity - Help for Heroes. Those of you wishing to donate to put me through the pain barrier can do by visiting www.justgiving.com/ian-bragger. September started with a night at The Lamproom Theatre to see The Last Laugh Comedy Club with Toby Foster - a great warm up to the up and coming Vicious Circle Dinner! I have no doubt the next few months will be as good as the last few.

By Ian Bragger, Finance Director