Land Rover employees “making a difference”

The fundraising efforts of Land Rover employees resulted today in the donation of another cheque for over £2,000 to The George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, enabling them to purchase an important piece of equipment for the Bob Jakin ward.

Land Rover’s ‘Solihull Charity Committee’ receives regular voluntary contributions from employees through payroll deductions. Feedback from employees has been used to select a number of designated charities to commit to for 2007/08. They receive an equal share of 72% of the funds every quarter. The remainder of the money is donated to other local charities, also nominated by employees, within a 30 mile radius of the plant.

Today’s donation will be used for the purchase of a non-invasive ventilation system (NIV) for the respiratory ward.

Jean Whittaker, George Eliot Hospital’s fundraising co-ordinator said: “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Land Rover employees who have supported the George Eliot Hospital. The committee’s continued support enables us to purchase vital equipment of this nature, which will benefit so many patients who are in need.”

Solihull Charity Committee’s other designated charities for 2007/08 are:

The Prostate Cancer Charity: 32,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year – 10,000 men die each year (1 man dies every hour). It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men. The charity provides support and information, funds research and carries out fundraising activities. Land Rover is supporting a local specialist nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.

Make-A-Wish: Grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Land Rover is supporting the Worcestershire Branch which covers the West Midlands.

Acorn's Children’s Hospice Trust (West Midlands): Provides care for life-limited children and their families from across the West Midlands region. There are three hospices in the area: Selly Oak, Walsall and Worcester who offer respite, emergency, terminal and community care. Since 1988, more than 1,100 families have been helped by Acorn’s.

The Foundation for Conductive Education (Edgbaston, Birmingham): Teaches children and adults with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke and head injuries, how to overcome their movement problems to lead more independent, dignified and fulfilled lives.

St Basils (Derltend, Birmingham): A youth agency which uses housing as the medium to work with young people aged 16-25 to enable them to find and keep a home, to develop their confidence, skills and opportunities and to prevent homelessness. They provide a range of services to young people in Birmingham and some of the surrounding areas of the West Midlands.

Solihull Bereavement Counselling Services (SBCS): Offer a free bereavement counselling service to anyone living or working within the Solihull Borough. They have a team of 33 fully trained volunteers, who provide a range of support services such as group sessions, one-to-one counselling and counselling developed specifically for bereaved children.

WellBeing of Women (WoW): Wellbeing of Women is currently funding a wide range of research projects which will have a huge impact on the lives of women and their families. It is also committed to providing information and raising awareness of gynaecological health conditions which have an adverse effect on women's everyday lives. Land Rover is supporting local research and also supporting a 4th year medical student.