Ward swaps corporate gifts for donations to community causes
Ward, the Derbyshire based metal recycling and waste management specialist, has this year swapped corporate gifts in favour of supporting community causes.
The firm with several sites at Ilkeston, as well as in Chesterfield, Swadlincote and Immingham, has decided to donate £5,000 and support local charities instead of sending out its annual thank you gifts to customers and suppliers.
A £5,000 donation was presented by Ward Director, Dennis Bell, to the Lead Pastor at Ilkeston’s Arena Church and Community project earlier this month. In addition, Dennis has also made regular deliveries all year round to the local food bank of essential food items, toys and warm clothes for local families who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
The move comes after a challenging year that has seen a 61% increase in the use of food banks, according to a report from The Trussell Trust on the impact of the Coronavirus.
Dennis Bell, Director at Ward, said:
“We have been long time supporters of Arena Church in Ilkeston and this year they needed more support than ever as the number of families facing hardship over Christmas has been overwhelming.
Ward is a regular contributor to community fundraising activities such as Treetops and Ashgate Hospices, the Arena Community Project, the annual five-a-side tournament at Elvaston and we have even helped furnish the new homes of individuals who have fled from abuse.
It’s been a particularly challenging year for everyone and we hope that our action can go a small way to making a difference to see them through Christmas. We’d encourage others to do the same if they can too.”
Kristian Thorpe, Lead Pastor, on behalf of Lisa Harrison and the entire team at Arena Church and Community, added:
“Over the years of being involved in the community we realise there are many overwhelming and heartbreaking needs, but we continue to move forward with our mission and message to let “Everyone Know they are a Somebody ” without prejudice!
We would like to thank you Ward for the generous gift of £5,000. This will go some way in underwriting our Christmas Campaign of Hampers, Dinner Boxes and Toys. It will enable us to serve those people, children and families who find themselves in great trouble over this Christmas season. We are presently inundated with need.”
As a multi-award winning, independent fourth generation family business, Ward continues to make significant investments across its business operations and contribute to the communities in which it operates. The business continues to strive to be at the forefront of building a sustainable business for future generations.