Achievements of volunteers in West London celebrated by British Waterways

16 September 2009

British Waterways London is celebrating the importance of volunteers to its canals and rivers by recognising those involved with GlaxoSmithKline?’s Orange Days which have dramatically benefited the region’s waterways over the past 12 months.

Volunteering plays a vital role in British Waterways’ duty to maintain and protect the 2,200 miles of inland canals and rivers it cares for. Once a year, it celebrates the contribution of volunteers by presenting an “acknowledgement” award to ten projects that have illustrated the successful partnership between volunteer groups and the waterways.

West London corporate GlaxoSmithKline? was chosen as an award winner for their employee volunteering programme.

GlaxoSmithKline? employees volunteered for four Orange Day work parties to spring clean stretches of the Grand Union Canal adjacent to their offices in Stockley Park and Brentford. The volunteers, managed by London’s environment charity Thames21, removed 4,385 litres of rubbish, cleaned off 460m2 of graffiti, installed new benches and planted over 1,200 wildflowers.

Simon Bamford, British Waterways London general manager visited the Grand Union Canal on 15 September 2009 to present the company with its award.

Last year British Waterways was involved with volunteer-led projects that contributed 15,994 volunteer days to the promotion and upkeep of the waterways worth in excess of £1 million.

Simon Bamford, British Waterways London general manager, said: “The waterways have a long history of volunteering and the actions of these groups and individuals are still central to the delivery of physical works, customer service, research and promotional activities.

“We are delighted that the corporate sector is making the choice to volunteer and put something back into the community in these tough times. GlaxoSmithKline?’s Orange Days have done a fantastic job in clearing litter, graffiti and maintaining stretches of the Grand Union Canal which deserves to be celebrated. They are a great example of what corporate volunteering can achieve, and we are proud to be associated with them.

“I’d like to thank all the volunteers from GlaxoSmithKline? for the time, passion and dedication they have shared with British Waterways London over the past year, and hope that we will continue to nurture these relationships in the future.”

ENDS

For further media information please call Gill Owen T: 020 7985 7227 Mob: 07733 124 580

gill.owen@britishwaterways.co.uk

Notes to editors
British Waterways is the public corporation that cares for a 2,200-mile network of canals and navigable rivers across the country and works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to improve the social, economic and environmental benefits of the inland waterways. For more information visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Thames21 is an environmental charity working with corporate volunteers and communities to bring London's waterways to life. Thames 21’s focus on the Grand Union Canal has seen hundreds of local residents and young people engage with their local waterway. www.thames21.org.uk

GlaxoSmithKline? (GSK) is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies committed to improving the quality of human life. It is one of the largest charitable givers in the FTSE 100. Every GSK employee is given an annual day’s paid leave to help in the community by carrying out an “Orange Day” activity, which is a great opportunity for staff to join in the canal clean ups. www.gsk.com/community