3 November 2008
Corporate volunteers get down and dirty at Kenley Common
A group of 22 staff from BT offices across the country have come
together to take part in clearing trees and scrub as part of a
programme of corporate volunteering on Kenley Common near
Croydon.
The BT workers, from the firm’s retail product management team,
led by manager John Strutt spent the day with rangers from the City
of London Corporation (which owns and manages the 139 acre site).
They helped to start a new project designed to transform a disused
footpath into a "Historical Heritage Trail" to link the important
Battle of Britain Airfield with the area’s outstanding natural
history.
The event (Wednesday 29 October) was organised by Croydon
Commitment, the corporate-led charity of which BT is a member. City
Corporation rangers Jo Osmond and Luke Ellis led the volunteers,
under the direction of group leader David Olliver.
John Strutt said: "It’s a prime opportunity for my staff to
enjoy team building in a different way and it also gives us the
opportunity to give something back to Croydon on a community level.
Everyone had a great time and I hope this is the first of many team
volunteering days we can take part in."
Commons Ranger David Olliver said: "The team all worked really
hard and made a big difference to that site in just one day. These
events can be a great opportunity not only for work bonding but
also for people to learn more about the nature around them and to
get stuck in and make a real difference".
Ends
Notes to editors:
Kenley Common is one of the City Commons, part of the 10,000 acres
of open space owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.
It includes chalk grasslands, which are designated sites of special
scientific interest, woods of pollarded veteran oaks, herds of
grazing Sussex cattle and flocks of sheep which contribute to
balancing the ecology, heathlands, wetlands and the most intact
Battle of Britain airfield in southern England.
Corporate volunteers are valued by the City Commons, as they
bring with them enthusiasm, commitment and new experiences.
For further information on the opportunities for corporate
volunteering at the City Commons:
Email:
city.commons@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Tel: 01372 279083 – Ashtead Estate Office
Tel: 020 8660 8533 – Merlewood Estate Office
Web:
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces
Press enquiries to Loretta Lui at City of London Corporation. 020
7332 1528.