Kind Thames Water workers donate presents and hampers

Generous Thames Water workers got into the festive spirit by donating toys and Christmas hampers to disadvantaged families across London and the Thames Valley.

The water company’s key workers donated £750 to the Newham Christmas Toy Appeal and £325 to the East London Business Alliance’s Toy Appeal, spent £400 on more than two dozen presents for blindness charity Berkshire Vision through Connect Reading’s annual Giving Tree appeal, and gave cash to the Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal.

A Berkshire Vision spokesperson said: “We’re overwhelmed by the response from Thames Water. A huge thank you to everyone who so kindly bought gifts for our young members. There were some lovely messages with some of the parcels, which we will pass on to the children with the presents.” 

A spokesperson from Ambition, Aspire, Achieve, which ran the Newham appeal, said: “Thames Water’s support and kindness will help us greatly in ensuring that each child referred to the appeal wakes up on Christmas morning to a full stocking and a real Christmas Day – and not another day just the same as every other.” 

Claire Iredale, Thames Water’s charities and volunteering co-ordinator, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for people in need, so I’m delighted that so many of our colleagues have donated. 

“We are always looking for ways to help the less fortunate and hopefully these gifts will put smiles on the faces of youngsters who might otherwise not have anything to look forward to.” 

And in south London, several managers, engineers and technicians from the water production team donated their Thames Water Christmas hampers to Greenwich Mencap to bring some festive cheer to people with learning disabilities and their families.

Other members of different teams also contributed their hampers, which contain a range of treats, from cheeses and biscuits, to chocolates and mince pies. 

Terri Looker, director of services at Greenwich Mencap, said: “The hampers are a welcome gift to our service users who are very vulnerable and unable to go to the shops to make purchases due to the lockdown.  

“In addition, they survive on a very small income made up of disability benefits and find it very hard to enjoy the luxuries that we take for granted at Christmas. Some have also lost a parent during Covid and having a hard time emotionally and financially.” 

Peter Kendall, Thames Water’s south London operations manager, said: “For people who are unable to go to the shops right now, or afford little luxuries, this sort of gift will mean a lot to them. 

“I was pleased with how many people in the team were up for it, it made me feel really proud to work for Thames. I’m chuffed to have the chance do something good this year.”