GETTING STREETWISE WITH CHARITY PROJECT
7/1/2010Construction and building services firms lend a helping hand
A charity is hoping to raise an extra £35,000 a year following the revamp of its conference facilities. Bosses at LV=Streetwise in Bournemouth hope to attract paying customers to its headquarters in Elliott Road after volunteers from construction company Morgan Sindall Plc and building services provider EIC Ltd gave their old meeting room a new lease of life.
Alison Shelton is centre manager for the children's accident prevention charity. She hopes the suite will provide the ideal alternative for small corporate meetings and training sessions, and will contribute up to a sixth of the charity's annual budget. Alison said: "I knew our utilitarian little meeting room had more potential and so was looking for funding to update the facilities when Morgan Sindall and EIC generously offered to do the work for us. What they have done is fantastic, we have been incredibly lucky to receive these donations of time, expertise and materials at no cost to the charity.
"By hiring a room from us, local businesses and other organisations will be giving something back to their community, as all funds raised go directly back into our campaign to educate children and ultimately save lives. Even though the team has only just finished the work, we are already booked up until the summer. In fact, I'm delighted to say, we're struggling to arrange our own board meetings as there has been so much interest !"
Boasting a brand new kitchen, a break out area and a 50-inch flat screen TV, the refurbishment project was led by Morgan Sindall Plc's Poole-based team, with the electrical, plumbing and air conditioning installation being completed by the team from EIC's Lymington office.
Paul Gale, Morgan Sindall Plc area director, said: "We have been involved with Streetwise since its foundation in 1997 and have been delighted to see it go from strength to strength. When Alison told me of her plans to refurbish the meeting room, in order to help raise much needed funds, we were happy to step in and offer our services."
In recognition of the work EIC has undertaken on this project, which amounted to around £5,000 in man-hours and expertise, LV=Streetwise has installed a plaque of thanks on the sponsor's wall at the centre. Darren Parrish, EIC South regional director, added: "I'm really pleased that we were able to get involved and add value to this project. LV=Streetwise is a fantastic charity and does some amazing work teaching children about staying safe. We take our corporate social responsibility very seriously at EIC and it is incredibly satisfying to know that our efforts over the last month will enable Alison to raise so much money to continue the charity's important work."
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Photo caption
Mark Muspratt, from Morgan Sindall Plc; EIC project manager David Vanderputt; LV= Streetwise manager Alison Shelton; EIC South regional director Darren Parrish and Paul Gale, area director Morgan Sindall Plc
[Higher resolution or alternative images of the project are available on request]
Editor's note
LV=Streetwise is a lifesize, indoor "safety village" which uses realistic scenarios to engage with and educate children about the risks they face on the roads, the beach, on building sites and railway lines, and even in the home. Backed by a multi-agency partnership made up of Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, the Borough of Poole, Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and NHS Bournemouth and Poole, Streetwise is a registered charity with LV= as its main commercial sponsor.
EIC Ltd has almost 40 years' experience in the provision of project management, design, supply, installation, testing, commissioning and FM including maintenance of mechanical, electrical and building fabric systems, to a wide range of blue-chip clients. Headquartered in Alcester, Warwickshire, EIC has a network of 10 regional offices across the UK, offering clients a nationally managed service, delivered locally. EIC works collaboratively with clients and staff to provide innovative, sustainable solutions and best whole life value. For further information log on to www.eicltd.com or call 0844 736 0060.
Press contact: Heather Butler / Deborah Garritty @ Bell Pottinger North
hbutler@bellpottingernorth.co.uk
dgarritty@bellpottingernorth.co.uk
(01625 506444)
