A team of Birmingham-based Virgin Media apprentices are offering a helping hand to The Square Club in Northfield – a fixture in the community for 60 years.

Nine apprentices are joining forces to help give the community club a new lease of life by rolling up their sleeves to help raise money to redecorate and bring the building into the 21st century.

The Square Club offers a home to everyone in the community from tiny tots to pensioners and is run by Bonnie Janiak, who is described by locals as the community’s ‘Guardian Angel.’

The apprentice team are taking part in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge, a nationwide initiative set up to raise the profile of apprentices and in the process, generate money for the teams’ chosen charities.

The team are organising a series of events to raise money for the community centre’s refurbishment, including a car wash at Virgin Media’s Eagle Court offices in Birmingham and a 5-a-side football tournament.

Laura Denton, Virgin Media Apprentice, said: “The Brathay Apprentice Challenge is a great opportunity to make a difference locally and help give the community a better future.

“This is the first year we’ve competed as a team solely from the Birmingham area, and it gives me a great sense of pride to help a cause that is close to my heart, as I have personally experienced the benefits of all the hard work that Bonnie does.

“In order to succeed in the challenge we need to raise the profile of apprenticeships in our region and nationally.

“We hope this will help to raise awareness about the opportunities available through apprenticeship schemes and what different options there are.

“Through my apprenticeship I have learnt transferable skills that will stand me in good stead for the challenge, especially if we make it through to the final. I am looking forward to going back to The Square Club to help with the improvements – it’s a real chance for us to really get stuck in.”

Bonnie Janiak from The Square Club said: “We are thrilled we’ve been chosen as the community project for the team’s campaign.

“I have recently moved to the premises from Kingstanding as the senior youth worker and centre manager and want to be able to make it a place everyone feels proud of.”