2 June 2014

The Costain Group has announced a major national fund-raising campaign to mark the Company’s 150 year anniversary next year.

The Company is in the process of setting up a charitable Foundation to which the Company will make an initial donation to launch the campaign.

The campaign is to be called the Costain 150 Challenge and is to raise funds for four national charities- the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Macmillan Cancer Support, youth charity The Prince’s Trust and Samaritans.  The aim of the Challenge is to raise £1 million during 2015 through a multitude of fund-raising events throughout next year.

Catherine Warbrick, Costain’s Director for Corporate Responsibility, said each of the charities’ work resonates with many of the initiatives Costain is currently involved with, whether it’s trying to help disadvantaged young people into work or ensuring and improving the wellbeing, both mentally and physically, of its employees and the communities it serves.

“Our aim is to raise £1million by the end of December 2015 and we’re looking for everyone in the Company to get involved. If everyone in the Company raised just £150 then we would be over half way there. All of us at some point, either personally or through someone we know, has benefited from the great work these charities do. We have a fantastic track record of imaginative and energetic fund raising and this new challenge will help even more people get involved and share in the success of their colleagues,” said Catherine.

Andrew Wyllie, Costain’s Chief Executive, said:

“The Costain 150 Challenge will reflect our Company values, recognise our responsibility to the wider society in which we operate, and will be worthy of a successful organisation that is winning work at record levels. I plan to play my part in raising this money as I am sure all my colleagues will. They are four tremendous charities which make such a major contribution to our lives. We are proud to be in partnership with them and eager for the Costain 150 Challenge to begin at the start of 2015.”   

For more information about the 150 Year Challenge, please click here.

Notes on our chosen charities

The British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer. For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.

For more information on the BHF, visit bhf.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people living with cancer. One in three people will get cancer at some stage in their lives. Macmillan’s aim is to support everyone affected by cancer including patients, carers, families and communities every step of the way. Macmillan does this by providing practical, medical and financial support to people living with cancer and campaigning for better cancer care. Macmillan guides people through the system, providing information, funding nurses and other specialist health and social care professionals, and building cancer information and support centres.

For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support, please visit Macmillan.org.uk

The Prince’s Trust

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.  Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped 750,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.

Samaritans

Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. The charity’s helpline provides a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them. 

The service is available round the clock, every single day of the year and people can get in touch by phone, e-mail, text and face to face at one of the 201 branches across the UK and Ireland.

For more information on the Samaritans, please visit Samaritans.org

 

Ends

 

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