Jaguar And Land Rover Employees Help Community Playground Project

Fifty-three willing volunteers from across Jaguar and Land Rover’s planning and distribution teams have picked up their shovels, donned their overalls and got their hands dirty revamping the tired play areas of Kingsrise Community School, Kingstanding, Birmingham.

The project, run in conjunction with the Birmingham Cares Organisation, is just one of a number of community initiatives the company’s employees get actively involved in each year.

Birmingham Cares forms part of a national initiative that aims to see a marked increase in the number of employees involved in volunteer exercises. The organisation’s vision is to create an infectious momentum that will inspire firms across the region to get involved in an array of community projects. Graham Clarke of the trust said: "Birmingham Cares acts as a channel for one-off projects where short bursts of hands-on volunteering can make a real difference."

The day-long challenge saw the Jaguar and Land Rover team enthusiastically undertake a wide variety of activities from laying bark for the soft play area to gardening and painting. The day was a community event in every sense with many local firms donating goods and services. Sarah Holland, one of the organisers said: "Many of these activities could not have been possible without the generosity of local firms, a special mention in particular must go to Cogent & Freestyle, Gravelly Lane Garden Centre, the Warmington-based Herb Centre, Johnstones Decorating, HSS Hire, B&Q and SITA UK."

Sally Withers of Land Rover Special Vehicles, like many of her colleagues, felt this was a most satisfying project in which to be involved. She commented: "We had long wanted to get involved in a hands-on project that would give something back to the wider community…the whole team embraced this challenge with fervour and it was a truly rewarding experience…just one day of hard graft has really improved conditions for the children of Kingsrise and we hope they will now be able to enjoy their play times in the transformed surroundings."