10 December 2007 10:23 E.ON UK’s team spirit blossoms in Loughborough

A group of 11 eager volunteers from E.ON's Central Networks business, which is the electricity distribution company for central England, recently donned their gardening gloves to transform a garden at John Storer House in Loughborough.

The regulation team members decided to take on a horticultural challenge at the day centre, which is run by Voluntary Action Charnwood and which cares for learning and physically disabled people in Loughborough.

Jane Griffith, one of the willing volunteers, said: "It was hard work, but we had great fun and enjoyed the chance to get to work together as a whole team on a project that really helps out other people.

"It was wonderful to be able to see the fruits of our labour and, at the end of the day, all the residents were thrilled with what we achieved, which really made us all feel like we'd made a difference.

"We were so impressed with the role that John Storer House plays in the local community that we've decided to organise a fundraising summer fete next year to help the centre continue its valuable work with learning disabled, physically disabled and elderly people."

Bobby Smith, from Voluntary Action Charnwood said: "I'd like to thank the hard working team from E.ON for the brilliant job they did on the gardens at John Storer House.

"They've provided us with a low maintenance garden which will be enjoyed by staff, visitors and the many people that walk by each day."

E.ON UK finds and supports volunteering opportunities which provide a rewarding challenge for employees as part of its wider community relations programme. In 2006, staff spent over 32,000 hours volunteering on projects in their local communities.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• In 2006, 2,740 E.ON UK employees (representing nearly one in five employees) took part in at least one energy in the community volunteering programme, raising a total of £215,000 for good causes and volunteering a total of 32,000 hours;
• E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company. We employ around 18,000 people in the UK;
• Our distribution business, branded Central Networks, provides a reliable supply to 4.9 customers in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than times - and via almost 97,000 substations. The company covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:

Deanna Mooney on 024 7618 3678