18 August 2010
Volunteers from EDF Energy in Exeter are returning to a local school to help get it ready for the new term.
Twelve volunteers from the company’s Gadeon House office, on Exeter Business Park, will be spending Tuesday, August 24, at Broadclyst Pre-School.
The main task will be laying bark chippings at one of the play areas enjoyed by the under-fives at the site on School Lane in Broadclyst. They will also be re-staining fences and sheds plus taking on some gardening.
Their efforts are all part of the energy company’s Helping Hands volunteering scheme. The scheme allows all staff at least two days of company time a year to support local community and environmental projects.
Organiser Jackie Blackett works in EDF Energy’s B2B department. She said: “We got involved for the first time last year, doing work in the school grounds that needed tackling. It’s nice to be able to go back as a team and continue that link, put in plenty of effort, have an enjoyable day and help make a bit of a difference.”
The EDF Energy employees are also raising money to help pay toward the cost of materials needed on the day by organising a raffle, cake sale and auction of a golf day at St Pierre Golf Course, near Chepstow, donated by one of the parents.
Ends
For more information and to arrange for a photographer to attend on the day, please call Dan Pritchard in the EDF Energy press office on 01392 813783.
Notes to editors:
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.