27 October 2009 12:56
E.ON volunteers inspire students at Coventry college

A group of 25 keen volunteers from E.ON's Corporate Affairs team spent a day in the great outdoors transforming gardens at Hereward College for disabled students.

The overgrown garden area had been somewhere the college had earmarked for wider use but, with limited funds and manpower, they were unable to proceed.

The team worked hard to cut back trees, build paths suitable for wheelchair use and created an attractive shaded area that will be used for outdoor learning, meetings and private study.

Fiona Stark, Director of Corporate Affairs at E.ON, said: "This was a great day with the opportunity to make a real difference to the students at Hereward.

"It was made even more worthwhile because the students were able to come and see the results of our work at the end of day and were obviously pleased with what we had managed to accomplish."

Margaret Taylor who works at the college, said: "This day was a real success, not only do we have an area that will be used and appreciated, but it was an opportunity for our students to be provided with role model from the world of work.

"It was also rewarding to see the outcome when a team of active adults focus on a specific task and make a big difference in a day."

Hereward College is a residential college of further education for disabled students. It is committed to providing students with the best possible inclusive learning experience and ensuring they gain the skills and qualifications needed to get the most out of life.

Students with disabilities are welcomed from anywhere in the UK, as well as people from the local area, whether they are disabled or not.

E.ON finds volunteering opportunities for employees across the UK, working with schools, older people and other vulnerable groups as part of its wider community relations programme. In 2008, E.ON employees spent over 13,000 hours volunteering in their local communities.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• 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, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. We employ around 17,000 people in the UK and over 92,000 worldwide;
• We're one of the leading green generators in the UK, with 20 wind farms located from Cornwall to Northern Ireland. We also burn biomass material mixed with coal in two of our power stations and have completed one of the UK's largest dedicated biomass power stations at Lockerbie. Combined, our renewable portfolio generates enough green energy to power the homes in a city the size of Manchester.

For more information contact:

Victoria Blake on 02476 181304