In 2018 the RSPB chose to shine a light on some of our fantastic staff volunteers from PriceWaterhouseCoopers at Chorlton Water Park, Manchester. This group of 13 formed one of dozens of corporate work parties across the UK each year that the RSPB relies upon to do large-scale work like habitat management or path maintenance. Without our volunteers, and their employers like HSBC UK, this work would likely be impossible. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers across all our business partners.
Whilst we reflect and thank our amazing volunteers on their contribution in the previous year let us look forward to what will be no doubt be another memorable year of volunteering. Across six of our reserves HSBC UK have committed to funding the material costs and providing the staff time towards seven key projects. The common theme among these seven projects is allowing vulnerable people across society access to nature.
There will be new paths laid at Fairburn Ings and St. Aidan’s allowing access by all to some of our most impressive landscapes. The construction of new wildlife gardens at Lochwinnoch, Middleton Lakes, and Old Moor to provide vulnerable young people with experiences of all elements of nature across their senses. And finally, we will be creating accessible pond dipping platforms at Middleton Lakes and Rainham Marshes giving people with all levels of mobility the opportunity to experience the wonder of nature below the water line.
Across these seven projects we expect approximately 200 HSBC UK staff to give us their time out of the office and to get their hands dirty for our cause. These 200 staff will create facilities and habitats that will be enjoyed by thousands in 2019 and into the future. It is through creating these partnerships that we can keep moving forward with our mission; saving nature through people.
Jack Taylor