BT Volunteers win support for community groups in the North East

BT is again rewarding its employees for their dedication to volunteering. In recognition of the time and skills they share with groups and charities across the North East they are being awarded BT grants of up to £1,000. 

BT is making the grants through its employee recognition scheme, the BT People Awards, which were launched in April 2012. The awards recognise BT’s volunteering heroes who give large amounts of their time to their local communities.

Ten groups in the North East have received grants to help them continue their excellent work in the community, including: Stepney Bank Stables in Newcastle, City of Newcastle Amateur Swimming Club and Fit2Fight in Cramlington. A full list of the winning groups is below.

Farooq Hakim, BT’s North East regional director, said: “The People Awards really highlight the time and commitment that BT people are giving to their communities and provide a great opportunity to reward their community group or charity for their volunteering.”

Caroline Waters OBE, BT’s director of people and policy, said: “It’s great to see so many BT people using their professional skills to help others and bringing value to the community groups they work so closely with through our volunteering programme. Of course, it’s also a great development opportunity and BT benefits from the new skills, experiences and perspectives that our volunteers gain by being an active part of their local community.”

Two hundred and eighty five applications were received for the second round of grants and 260 applicants received awards totalling £55,000.

Applications were submitted by BT people from all over the world including Hungary, India and the USA. These included a wide range of community organisations, from a mountain rescue team to wheelchair basketball illustrating the wide variety of activities BT people are involved with.

For more information and to see a complete list of the latest award recipients please visit: www.btpeopleawards.co.uk

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:
The North East winners are:
• Fit2Fight, Cramlington, NE23 3AP
• Stepney Bank Stables, Newcastle, NE1 2NP
• 1st Washington Scout Group, Washington, NE38 7AW
• Tynemouth United Football Club, North Shields, NE29 0EA
• Y21, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE9 7RX
• Northern Football Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2DT
• Inter Nissan, Jarrow, NE32 5NW
• St Bartholomew's Church Drama Group, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 9NU
• City of Newcastle Amateur Swimming Club Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8SE
• Ravensworth Golf Club, Gateshead, NE9 7NE