Gannett Foundation awards team £21,750!!
We're still reeling from the shock and excitement on hearing the news this evening – but this is amazing for us.
The Gannett Foundation is awarded via the Newsquest group who publish local newspapers such as the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Their aim is to support local organisations and charities in specific projects.
The award will enable us not just to replace the team waterproofs – which are now well over six years old and well past reproofing or repair – but to buy a whole new 'working wardrobe' for every single team member. Top to toe protection against wind, rain and cold whilst team members are out on call, often at night or in extreme weather conditions.
As Chairman Graham Dalley said, 'When everybody else goes in, we go out!'
And it couldn't have come at a better time, as the weather turns colder and the nights draw in.
The team has served the local community for well over forty years and will continue to do so for many more. Over the last two years we have taken on more trainees, so we can be sure of the man(and woman!)power and skills to serve our community when required. The least we can do is offer them – and our longer serving team members – the best tools to do the job. This money provides us that opportunity. It also gives us the opportunity to present a more unified, corporate look to the world, so we're more easily recognisable when we're out there working.
So thanks to the Lancs Evening Telegraph and thanks to the Gannett Foundation.
posted Thursday, November 26, 2009