"Blowing" out poverty and pain

12/03/2007

Water workers have committed to a flow of activity to help bring relief to the disadvantaged.

Northumbrian Water employees from across the region, who have already raised more than £400 for Red Nose Day, will help blow out poverty and pain by sniffing out more charity cash to make a difference to peoples’ lives at home and abroad.

Charity antics in the pipeline, which will raise funds to go towards dozens of projects in the North East and projects in Africa, range from calm to chaotic:

Two giant red plastic noses, which weigh 15kg and are five feet in diameter, have been put up on the outside of Northumbrian Water’s head office building in Durham and its office in Thornaby, Middlesbrough.

• 2007 calendars which feature saucy images of Northumbrian Water employees from Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland are being sold.
• Employees can donate money to Comic Relief through tax-effective Payroll Giving.  For every donation made Northumbrian Water will donate £1.00.
• A delectable selection of homemade cakes is being sold.
• Concert tickets for popular bands Keane and Westlife are being raffled – the winners will be drawn on Red Nose Day.
• On Red Nose Day Northumbrian Water employees will have the option to come to work in casual dress and employees who work in the customer centre, at the company’s head office in Durham, will also have the opportunity to take part in a red quiz, have their head shaved, eat doughnuts without licking their lips, chance their luck at tombola and play roulette.
• Twenty water workers will also be on the end of the line taking calls during the course of Red Nose Night at a call centre in Longbenton, Newcastle.
• Comic Relief sweepstake packs are also proving a popular fundraiser.

 

Northumbrian Water’s, Cara Hall, said:  “It amazes me how some people cope with the extraordinarily difficult and heart-breaking daily struggle they face.  The money that Northumbrian Water employees raise will bring relief and happiness to people and that is why we are all so enthusiastic about getting involved. 

“While Northumbrian Water provides essential water and waste water services to customers every day it is also immersed in community life throughout the region – this is another opportunity for us to improve the communities we work in.  It also raises spirits at work and is good, wacky fun!”