Volunteers offer clean break to Glasgow children’s charity

A group of staff from EDF Energy’s East Kilbride office have been lending their helping hands to make sure a Glasgow charity offering holidays to families in need was able to get its season off to a flying start.

A team of ten went to Wemyss Bay to clean caravans for the Glasgow Children’s Holiday Scheme (GCHS). They cleaned out three vans which had been closed over the winter season and made sure they were ready for this year’s holiday makers.

While the team were there they also handed over a cheque for £8,000 and some donated outdoor toys, books and DVDs to equip the vans. Over the past two years the energy company has donated £16,000 to the charity.

The GCHS believes that “holidays matter” and each year organises breaks for almost 500 children from the Greater Glasgow area, many of whom are disabled or have caring responsibilities.

The charity has been running for more than 60 years and as well as caravan holidays it also provides holidays for individual children with volunteer host families.

Finance Shared Services Director, Robert Gilhooly, said: “EDF Energy offers its people two days each year to carry out voluntary work in the community. I am delighted that some of our staff decided to use one of their Helping Hands days for this worthwhile cause. A holiday is something that many of us take for granted but some of the children GCHS helps have never had the chance to have a break before so it is great to know we have been able to help out.”

Joanne Aldridge was one of the volunteers, she said: “I know that taking a step out of everyday concerns allows me to reset my compass and strengthen relationships so I feel that holidays are an important part of family life.  It was great to feel I was helping others to have the same chance to do this for their families too.

Douglas Wilson from GCHS, said: “We are so grateful for both the continued financial support from EDF Energy and the practical support given to ensure our caravans are prepared to a high standard for the holiday season. 

“We continue to meet a great need across Greater Glasgow and can only do so due to grant support, donations and volunteer action.  EDF Energy’s assistance will help up to 500 children and young people have a break at one of our caravans, at our volunteer host families or through youth group activity breaks.  It continues to make such a big difference to people’s lives.”

You can find out more about the Glasgow Children’s Holiday Scheme by visiting http://www.glasgowchildrensholidayscheme.org.uk/.