Member Article

Buildbase and Hirebase announce partnership with Raleigh International

Sustainable development charity Raleigh International is excited to announce a new partnership with Buildbase and Hirebase, both part of Grafton Merchanting GB Limited.

After hearing Raleigh staff speak about how to become a responsible business at the Hire Association Europe convention, Hirebase Managing Director Adrian Watts saw the potential a partnership with Raleigh offered.

Buildbase and Hirebase will provide vital funding for Raleigh’s youth-led development work in Tanzania and support a project improving access to safe, sustainable water and sanitation for children at a school in the country by autumn 2017. As well improving hygiene behaviour at the school, the project aims to increase the attendance of girls who currently miss out on schooling due to a lack of adequate facilities.

The companies will also give four employees aged between 17-24 the opportunity to volunteer on the project with Raleigh. Buildbase and Hirebase recognise that the volunteers will develop valuable leadership and teamwork skills, as well as increased cross-cultural understanding, as part of Raleigh’s programme. By both funding the project and sending its own employees to work on it as Volunteers, the partnership will allow Buildbase and Hirebase to thematically link their CSR work to the sector they are in (construction) as well as develop the future potential of the young employees so important to their businesses.

Kate Tinsley, CEO of Buildbase said of the partnership:

“We’re delighted to support Raleigh International. It presents a unique experience for those colleagues that get involved. As well as making a practical contribution to a worthy cause, they will develop skills that they can use back in the workplace.”

Adrian Watts, Managing Director of Hirebase said:

“The opportunity to make a difference by collaborating with Raleigh International was something we just couldn’t overlook. It marks a key step forward in making our corporate responsibility activities tangible, as well as supporting the development of young people, including our very own apprentices and entry-level staff.”

James Sutton at Raleigh International was delighted to announce the new partnership, commenting:

“We are excited to be working with Buildbase and Hirebase this year, knowing that both their vital funds and youth volunteers will make a real difference to our sustainable development programmes in Tanzania. It is responsible businesses like Buildbase and Hirebase that are leading their industries and setting a standard which we hope other businesses will soon follow. Adrian Watts & Kate Tinsley have shown real vision in pushing for this partnership to happen.”

The project will start this summer and the Buildbase/Hirebase volunteers depart the UK for Tanzania on 9 October 2017.

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