Wishaw Press journalist Richard Mooney is doing a bungee jump with his cousin to raise funds for an eight-year-old sufferer of quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

The youngster was born with the condition and is confined to a wheelchair and his parents are now hoping to raise £15,000 to take him to the Therapies4kids centre in Florida for a month.

Richard will be leaping 170ft on 21 February in Braehead, South Lanarkshire, and is hoping to raise £150.

For more information and to sponsor Richard visit giveforward.org/mrgiggles.

Will Beavis, new media marketing manager with the Midland News Association, has been appointed chairman of the Newspaper Society’s ‘Digital Ad Action Team’.

He replaces Adrian Martin, MD at the Newbury Weekly News, who chaired the team from its inception in 2008.

The Digital Ad Action Team is a forum hosted by the NS in which publishers can exchange digital ideas and initiatives, case studies and best practice across the industry.

The next session is scheduled for 25 March with three further meetings planned for this year. For more information email [email protected] or call 020 7632 7469.

The Orwell Prize for political writing has enjoyed record entries across its three award categories this year.

The book prize has seen 212 entries, 164 bloggers have put themselves forward for consideration and 84 reporters are vying for the journalism prize.

A longlist of 18 books, 12 journalists and 12 bloggers will be announced on 24 March. More details about the award and this year’s entrants can be found at theorwellprize.co.uk.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association is accepting entries to its annual journalist of the year awards.

It is open to journalists who have written or broadcast on general insurance subjects in the last year and there is an award for regional reporters.

Last year it was won by Yorkshire Post personal finance specialist Conal Gregory. Category winners will receive £750 while runners-up take home £150.

The deadline for submission is 1 March – visit biba.org.uk for more details and to enter.

A panel discussion is being held on 2 March at City University, in London, about the role of new media in the forthcoming general election.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson will be among the panellists. For full details and to reserve a place visit the City University website.