8-Jun-2006
- Environment Agency staff proved that they practice
what they preach by recycling their unwanted goods
into £800 through a charity auction for
the ‘Help a Local Child’ fund.
Staff at the Preston office
auctioned off their unwanted items from home as
part of the Environment Agency’s 10th anniversary
celebrations to raise cash for the charity, which
helps disadvantaged children.
In addition to unwanted goods
such as garden furniture and golf clubs, lots
ranged from homemade cakes, homemade chutney and
paintings produced by staff to the chance to be
a guard for the day on the East Lancashire Railway,
breakfast and lunch for a week in the staff canteen
and a luxury neck, shoulder and back massage.
As well as raising money, the
auction also raised a few surprises such as a
giant inflatable banana fetching £5, while
a foot spa took just 50p.
One of the event organisers
Jackie Harrison said: "It was a great day
and a marvellous achievement. Everyone involved
has ensured the event has been a great success."
Environment manager Pete Fox,
who took up the challenge of resident auctioneer,
added: "’Help a Local Child’ does a fantastic
job of helping children in need and as such we
are delighted to be able to make a donation. I
would like to thank everybody who supported and
attended the event and made our fundraising efforts
such a success.
"We are hoping the money
raised will help a young person gain access to
the environment through the purchase of a specially
adapted bike or wheelchair."
‘Help a Local Child’ is the
official charity of 97.4 Rock fm and Magic 999.
The charity aims to help children and young people
who are at a disadvantage for various reasons
including disability, abuse, neglect or poverty."
Help a Local Child Manager,
Emma Bailie, said: "We can’t continue to
help children without the support of fundraisers
like The Environment Agency. The money they have
raised will be distributed in early July and will
improve a local child’s quality of life."
Notes
The Environment Agency
is the leading public body for protecting the
environment in England and Wales. It was formed
in 1996. Among its predecessor bodies were the
National Rivers Authority and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate
of Pollution.
The Environment Agency’s North West region covers
Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
and Cumbria – around 14,000 square kilometres.
Seven million people live in the region.
