Member Article

Automotive company raises charity cash

A fun day organised by a leading automotive manufacturer has raised £490 for a charitable cause.

ZF TRW’s plant in Peterlee - which supplies automotive safety electronics to companies globally - held the family fun event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre where youngsters, their parents and grandparents enjoyed activities such as a bouncy castle, face painting, balloon-modelling and a raffle.

Lisa Walton, human resources lead at ZF TRW, said: “The fun day was a lovely day enjoyed by our employees and their families.

“Most importantly, it helped us to raise £490 which we agreed to donate to a local charity.

“The Better Health at Work team decided to donate all the cash raised on the day to Hartlepool Food Bank in a bid to continue its ongoing support of the much needed charity which helps to feed hundreds of struggling families from the area every day.

“It’s not the first time we’ve helped the charity – last year we donated food and winter coats as we were aware that the volunteers at the time were trying to raise funds for a new van.

“It’s such a great feeling to be able to hand this money over to such an important service which is going to need as much help as possible as the cold winter weather sets in. People are going to need more food and warm meals to stay fit and healthy.”

Al Whales, project co-ordinator from Hartlepool Food Bank which has been running for three years, thanked the team at ZF TRW for their efforts, saying that the cash will provide a much needed financial cash boost.

She said: “The food bank relies on donations such as the generous amount given by ZF TRW because the winter months are a lot busier.

“For some families, it can be a choice between heating their home or food – they simply cannot afford to do both.

“Families in this situation can be referred to us and they will receive a three day supply of good nutritional food.

“We have a warehouse where all the food is stored and a van that brings the food from there to the foodbank in Church Street, Hartlepool. ZF TRW’s donaton will help to fund the cost of that van which is so vitally important to our service.“ZF TRW’s Peterlee facility embarked on the North East Better Health at Work Award a number of years ago.It has recently received a Gold Award thanks to the hard work of its health advocates and is now focusing on Continuing Excellence.

The North East Better Health at Work Award recognises the efforts of local employers in addressing health issues within the workplace.

The award scheme is free, flexible and open to all employers in the North East, regardless of size, location or type of business.

Many organisations already promote healthy lifestyles and consider the health of their employees.

This award recognises the achievements of these organisations and helps them to move forward in a structured and supported way.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Felicity Collinson .