Media Centre

National Express supports local charities

2 Oct 2008

National Express East Anglia is one of the first companies to commit support to the Government’s Grassroots Grants Challenge to help local communities.  Its donation has also been increased by 50% as part of the Government funded initiative, which aims to encourage local people to support their local charities. The donation, which now exceeds £5,000 will be split between the Community Foundations working in the five eastern region counties in which National Express operates; Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

National Express donated the money for members of staff who completed and returned an employee survey.  One of the key responses from staff, which came from the survey, was that they wanted to see more money given to support local charities.

Theo Steel, Projects Director said “We wanted to respond to our staff’s request of making donations at a more local level and so the obvious route for us was to work with Community Foundations in the areas where we operate”.  He added “Being able to benefit from the Grassroots Challenge was also an opportunity too good to be missed”.  

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, is managing the Grassroots Challenge in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  Jane Darlington, Chief Executive, said, “There couldn’t be a better time for companies and individuals to support their local community.  We are delighted that National Express has chosen to work with Community Foundations in the eastern region and take advantage of the Grassroots Challenge.”

For more information about Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, the Grassroots Grants Challenge and how to support your local community, visit www.cambscf.org.uk or call 01223 421588

For information about the Grassroots Grants Challenge and Community Foundations in the Eastern Region, visit www.cfn-east.net

Notes to editors:

Photo call: Cambridge station Monday 6 October at 10.30am.

For further information contact:  Jane Darlington Cambridgeshire Community Foundation Tel:  01223 421588 or E-mail: jane@cambscf.org.uk

For further information about National Express East Anglia, please ring the National Express East Anglia Press Office on 0207 549 5966/64.