20 July 2010
For the fifth year running, EDF Energy Networks staff are volunteering to power up Kesgrave Music Festival.
On Saturday August 7, festival-goers will enjoy performances by an array of local bands on the main stage and in a ‘live lounge’, as well as a fun fair, food stalls and other entertainment at the festival.
The annual music event was established in 2005 after Ipswich woman Kate Moyes died from cancer. As she was a lover of live music, Kate’s friends and family felt that a local festival would be a brilliant memorial to her life.
Kesgrave Music Festival is now a fun-filled family day out which goes from strength to strength each year.
Debbie McCallum, event co-ordinator, said: “So far the festival has been able to donate over £60,000 to St Elizabeth Hospice from donations made and tickets sales. The festival aims to put on a great day out for the community and raise money for the hospice with every penny raised being donated to this cause.”
Last year 4,500 people attended the festival and raised £13,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice, where Kate was cared for, and £1,000 for East Anglian Children’s Hospice.
EDF Energy Networks is providing back up electricity generators and donating sponsorship to the event. Also, approximately 20 employees ranging from engineers, customer service advisors, administrators and managers will act as marshals on the day to direct vehicle parking, ensure visitor safety and keep the site litter free.
They are taking part under the company’s Helping Hands scheme, which gives every member of staff at least two days each year to support local community and environmental projects.
Business operations and dispatch manager Adrian Windley said: “Staff from EDF Energy Networks at Fore Hamlet have been personally touched by St Elizabeth's Hospice and we are always happy to support where ever they can. We hope that with our support the event will be as successful as it has been in the past few years and a lot of money is raised to help provide essential support where it is required.”
Debbie added: “The festival could not take place without the fantastic support of local businesses and the community. The EDF Energy Networks volunteers never let us down and always do a fantastic job with a smile on their faces.
“We need volunteers on the day to carry out marshalling duties and collect money. Every year EDF Energy Networks staff have made up the majority of the volunteers on the day, and the company has given donations and provided generators to help keep the music pumping. We really would be stuck without their help.”
Everyone is welcome at the festival at the Kesgrave Community Centre Fields from 11:45am on August 7. See www.kesgravemusicfestival.com for more details.
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For further information, contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around a 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.
St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity serving the community of East Suffolk providing specialist palliative care and advice to patients and their families.
It provides all services free of charge and relies heavily on voluntary contributions from the local community through donations from individuals, companies, legacies or volunteer fundraising. This year the Hospice must raise £1.7 million – which equates to £4,657 every day.
St Elizabeth Hospice ensures care between home, hospital and the hospice is as seamless as possible and has 18 in-patient beds, day care for up to 12 people, outpatient’s services, family support services and a hospice at home team. For more information see: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk