22 June 2010
Sixteen staff from EDF Energy Networks are to help create a garden oasis for people at a cancer charity in Wymondham this week.
The group, who all work as engineers and managers maintaining and upgrading the electricity network across the Norfolk area, will spend two days erecting fences and laying paving slabs. That means that people who use Star Throwers in Wymondham can have a peaceful place to sit this summer. Visitors travel from all across the Eastern region to access the charity’ help.
Star Throwers is dedicated to people affected by cancer, at particular risk of developing cancer, or relatives and friends who are supporting them. It provides unbiased advice on which conventional treatment is the most appropriate and if the conventional treatments have failed, what other options are available.
Anthea Turrell from Star Throwers said: “The centre at 30 Melton Road, Wymondham has been designed to provide a welcoming and homely atmosphere. It is so important that people find it easy to visit and feel comfortable there. In the garden there are beautiful mature trees and shrubs. Thanks to the generosity of EDF Energy Networks people will be able to sit in a peaceful setting, to have a cup of tea, and chat with new-found friends and obtain advice. There will be a constant reminder of the kindness and hard work of the EDF Energy Networks team, for which we convey our heartfelt thanks for the pleasure it will give to so many.”
The challenge is part of EDF Energy’s Helping Hands volunteering scheme, which allows employees up to two days of company time a year to support local community or environmental projects.
One of the organisers, Chris Mortimer, an EDF Energy Networks field manager from Trowse, said: “When you have a big team it’s surprising how much you can achieve in just a couple of days. We are hoping to make a real difference to the site so that people who visit in future will benefit for years to come.”
For more information or to attend on the day: Contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy Press Office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.
Star Throwers:
Star Throwers was set up by Dr. Henry Mannings to provide help to cancer sufferers who felt they had nowhere else to go or required advice on further management.
Dr Mannings has a strong background in both hospital medicine and as a family physician and is an honorary senior lecturer in medicine at the University of East Anglia. He has worked on the oncology units at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, being responsible for looking after patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as palliative care. Despite finding this post the most gratifying and depressing at the same time, he realises the need for further care which is not available in the current NHS system.
More details are available at www.starthrowers.org.uk or on 01953 423304.