Veolia provides waste services at ‘Race for Life’ events
Veolia is providing free waste services at more than 130 of Cancer Research UK’s ‘Race for Life’ and ‘Shine Night Walk’ events between August and September.
With more than 107,000 people expected to take part, the events include 3km, 5km and 10km routes for participants to walk, jog or run while raising money to help fund research into around 200 types of cancer.
Having mobilised staff from 35 depots, Veolia said it would distribute, collect and process around 1,000 bins at the events across the UK.
This service is additional to Veolia’s collection and recycling contract, covering around 600 Cancer Research shops around the country.
Keith McGurk, managing director of commercial at Veolia UK, said: “Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and Shine events are really making a difference in helping to fund life-saving research.
“We are pleased that our teams can help to make the events a success, both through our support services, volunteering and by participating. I hope everyone enjoys the events while raising money for this important cause.”
As well as managing the waste services, Veolia says its teams will “play their part” in the events, either as participants or as part of volunteer support teams.
Powerday launches mental health helpline
London-based waste firm Powerday has launched a mental health helpline for the boxing community in partnership with London Boxing and Immigrant Counselling & Psychotherapy (icap).
Named ‘Sam’s Listening’ in memory of the former London boxer and coach Sam Bezzina who died last year at the age of 26, the service is free to access.
The helpline will be operated by icap, a counselling charity which will link those requiring help and support to other agencies and specialists.
Edward Crossan, Powerday’s chief executive, said: “Like every life lost to suicide, Sam’s death was a tragedy. We are launching this helpline in his memory, which was a great loss not only to his friends and family but to the world of boxing.
“We are pleased to support this unique initiative in sport through London Boxing and icap and provide assistance and care to those within the boxing family that might be going through what Sam went through.”
The helpline is sponsored through Powerday’s charitable arm, the Powerday Foundation. It is available on: 020 7272 7906.
Bryson Recycling’s scheme promotes value of learning
Northern Irish waste firm Bryson Recycling is to donate £8,309 towards a pilot scheme for young people aged 4-16 called ‘Young Sparks’.
Established by the Bryson Charity Group, Young Sparks encourages families to take the “best advantage” of learning opportunities at school.
Bryson is to fund the scheme through an annual initiative called ‘Recycling Rewards’, which sees the waste firm and its partners Cherry Pipes, Encirc and Huhtamaki jointly donate £1 for every tonne of plastic, glass and paper collected across five council areas.
Eric Randall, Bryson Recycling’s director, said: “It has been an incredibly tough 15 months and the most vulnerable have been isolated even further from society due to the pandemic.
“Recycling is a simple way for households to get involved and help. We’ve reached the halfway point of the campaign and will be donating £8,309 towards Young Sparks.”
Bryson Recycling carries out weekly collections across more than 180,000 households in five council areas: Antrim & Newtownabbey; Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon; Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh; and Mid & East Antrim.
EMR donates £8,000 to Tilbury community development trust
Metal recycling firm EMR’s sites in East Tilbury and Tilbury Docks have donated £8,000 to the One Community development trust.
The initiative aims to encourage people in Tilbury and Chadwell to “work together to achieve the best for themselves and their community”.
One Community offers a number of services that aim to help remove barriers to employment. EMR’s donation will allow eight young people between the ages of 18-25 to access One Community’s Volunteer Investment Programme, an initiative which helps those struggling to find employment to access voluntary experience, while also giving them support with writing CVs and job applications.
Simon Masters, area general manager of EMR’s Tilbury sites, said: “One Community plays a vital role in the local area, offering a lifeline to those who need a little extra support.
“Now more than ever young people are struggling to find employment, so the Volunteer Investment Programme will give them that little extra experience they need and really help them craft their CVs.”
The young people will also receive a tour of EMR’s Tilbury sites, to “give them an insight into the metal recycling industry and the diverse roles available”.
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