20 April 2007

Children’s hospice receives welcome boost from Ordnance Survey

Local children’s hospice Naomi House received a boost this week thanks to the efforts of staff at Southampton-based Ordnance Survey.

Representatives from the mapping agency, including Director General and Chief Executive Vanessa Lawrence, paid a visit to their corporate charity – bringing funds raised by themselves and colleagues throughout the year.

The hospice – opened in 1997 – provides respite care, terminal care and bereavement support for families from across southern England. But to provide and extend these services costs more than £2.5 million each year. With just 10% of its income coming from government, Naomi House relies on the generosity of people in the community to continue its work. Their help and time allows the hospice to provide these crucial care services, free of charge, to children and their families.

Staff at Ordnance Survey elected the hospice as the organisation’s corporate charity for 2006–07. They spent the year arranging football matches, cake sales, a slimming club, fancy dress parades and book sales. They also voted against receiving their traditional box of chocolates at Christmas – choosing instead to donate the money. The total raised, so far, stands at more than £9,600. 
  
"I’m delighted by the efforts of our fundraisers," said Vanessa Lawrence. "And I’m pleased to announce that we shall be continuing our support for Naomi House as Ordnance Survey’s corporate charity until at least December 2007. This means that, in its tenth anniversary year, Naomi House will go on receiving our help for its vital services."

Vanessa was joined for the visit by Ordnance Survey’s Corporate Sponsorship Manager, Sharron Ward, and staff fundraisers Kelly Callaway, Hazel Norris and Cathy Layton. They represent different parts of Ordnance Survey, including digital mapping supply, customer enquiries and operational development.

Kelly Callaway organised a football tournament with teams from across Ordnance Survey, raising more than £500. "We’re so pleased to be able to present this very worthy cause with extra funds," she said. "It’s a responsibility we’ve all taken very seriously – and it’s hugely satisfying to know that, after all the hard work, people really are going to reap the benefits in a big way.

"Raising more than £9,000 since we started is no mean feat – I hope that we can carry on thinking of new and innovative ways to boost that figure during the remainder of this year."

"We are delighted with the support we’ve received from the staff at Ordnance Survey,” said Jill Livingstone, Corporate Fundraiser at Naomi House. "I would like to thank everyone for being so generous. This will help us to continue to provide care and support to our children and their families when they need it most."

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Head of Corporate Communications - Rob Andrews

Email: rob.andrews@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2265

Senior Communications & PR Officer - Paul Beauchamp

Email: paul.beauchamp@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

Phone: (+44) 023 8079 2568

Press Office fax: (+44) 023 8030 5295