Network Rail and Cornthwaite Tree Care staff volunteer at Rainbow Hub

A team from Network Rail and Cornthwaite Tree Care recently volunteered at Rainbow Hub, the Lancashire charity supporting children with physical and neurological disabilities. Seven staff members from the two companies recently worked in the charity’s grounds at Mawdesley to remove trees making the area safer for the children and improving the appearance.

Network Rail staff from their Works Delivery team, based in Preston and their sub-contractor Cornthwaite Tree Care from Chorley deliver woodland management works on the railway across the North West.

The idea to help the charity was developed after Network Rail Scheme Project Manager, Stephanie Almond won a signed Ant and Dec book in the Rainbow Hub Virtual Auction.  She visited the site and was so impressed by the work of the charity that the plans to maintain and enhance the outdoor area were started. Now Stephanie and her colleague, Gordon Cutler are looking at opportunities to help improve and refurbish other outside areas at Rainbow Hub later in July.

Stephen Lowe, Network Rail Project Manager said: “It is a pleasure to support a local charity utilising the volunteer leave that Network Rail staff benefit from. Our staff with specialisms in arboriculture and ecology have been able to make the outdoor space at Rainbow Hub a safer place and we look forward to arranging another volunteer day where we help with landscaping, painting and tidying of the outdoor spaces to improve the environment for the children and staff.”

Lyndsay Fahey, CEO, Rainbow Hub, said “We are delighted with the support from Network Rail and Cornthwaite Tree Care and excited that this was just their first visit.  It is wonderful that we are going to have their vision and help in the future to continue to maintain and enhance our outdoor area which is so important for the wellbeing of the children we support. We cannot thank them enough for their hard work and commitment.”

Anyone who would like to support Rainbow Hub, or find out more information, can visit their web site  https://www.rainbowhub.org/