issue two: may 2009 - Halcrow

Giving generouslySpread a little happinessBox of delightsSome 21 shoeboxes bursting with toys winged their way around theworld as part of Operation Christmas Child, thanks to donations fromthe Worcester office.Filling the boxes of joy on behalf of international charity Samaritan’sPurse, Halcrow employees helped to bring some Christmas cheer tochildren in homeless shelters, hospitals, orphanages and deprivedneighbourhoods.As the gifts were handed over to customs officers for their onwardjourneys to Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, organiser Becky Allensaid: “For some of these kids, an old Nike box containing sweets andpencils is the only gift they receive all year. The team’s contributionwill go a long way towardsbrightening up Christmasfor children in need.Leap of faithThrowing yourself off the topof a building in the depths ofwinter might not be everyone’sidea of a fun afternoon. ButBill Tate did just that whenhe demonstrated his supportfor Kidney Research UK withhis first attempt at abseiling– a 25m descent from oneof Peterborough’s landmarkbuildings.Bill netted £250 for hisefforts, contributingtowards the £15,000 raisedon the day by fearless participants.The experience was over far too quickly for the seniorelectrical engineer who now plans to plunge downthe side of Guy’s Hospital tower – a heart-inthroatjump of 140m – on 16 May 2009. Bill willagain be pledging his support forKidney Research UK, and wouldappreciate any donations – minusgood-natured suggestions that he‘break a leg’.Bill TateTo sponsor Bill, visitwww.kidneyresearchukevents.org/bill_tateBoxing dayA listening ear in SwindonHalcrow’s Burderop Park has opened up its facilities to the town’s Samaritans charitySamaritan volunteers are ordinary people, from all walks of life andbackgrounds, who, every year, help tens of thousands of troubled,often depressed, individuals. People like transport planning associate,John Costello, who has been a listening volunteer at the Swindonbranch for three-and-a-half years and is now a deputy director withresponsibility forongoing training.The charity has beenusing Burderop Park’sTudor Rooms for trainingsessions since latelast year, prompting apersonal thank you fromthe charity’s director andan acknowledgement inits annual general report.The room offers highquality multi-mediafacilities, perfect forpresentations andtraining, says John:“Each new volunteergoes through a wellrehearsed and organisedtraining programme andevery qualified SamaritanHelp is just a phone call awayis required to undertake five hours of ongoing training a year. Thisrequires facilities to accommodate up to 20 people, working togetheras well as in break-out groups.”Maintaining 24/7 coverage of the phones requires around 100volunteers in Swindonalone. “As this isa transitory town,volunteer turnover ishigh,” says John. “Thereis a constant need torecruit and train newvolunteers.”Since Halcrow openedits doors to theorganisation, two otheremployees are trainingto be volunteers. “I’mdelighted that Halcrowis living up to itspurpose of sustainingand improving thequality of people’s lives,”says John.Find out morewww.samaritans.org42Vox | issue two