Siemens Mobility has donated thousands of pounds worth of toys and treats and staff have volunteered their time to bring festive cheer to underprivileged children and families in Goole.
The company provided £5,000 to buy toys for children of all ages, as well as dozens of chocolate boxes and crackers to brighten Christmas for those who need it most in the East Yorkshire town and surrounding area.
More than 30 staff also volunteered their time at the Two Rivers Community Pantry in Goole, helping to distribute bags of cereal, sweets, sugar and more to support more than 1,500 households who access the service’s “social supermarket” and food bank.
The pantry was set up following the first lockdown in March 2020 to provide food parcels to individuals and families hardest hit by the economic impact of Covid-19. It then expanded to include the “social supermarket”, where major retailers donate surplus stock which can be bought by anyone at discounted prices, with the money raised helping to fund the food bank.
Residents accessing the food bank will benefit from the toys, chocolates and crackers donated by Siemens Mobility.
The donation comes as the community pantry has seen a significant rise in the number of households accessing its services over the past 12 months.
Siemens Mobility is investing up to £200m in creating a rail village in Goole that will create up to 700 skilled jobs, as well as up to 1,700 in the supply chain and 250 during construction.
Sambit Banerjee, Managing Director of Rolling Stock and Customer Services for Siemens Mobility Limited, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the community and bring some festive cheer to children and families this Christmas.
“We’re wholeheartedly committed to continuing our support for the local area and I’m really proud of our staff for volunteering their time to make a difference this Christmas.”
Households in Goole, Old Goole, Snaith, Cowick, Rawcliffe, Hook, Swinefleet, Reedness and Howden access the “social supermarket” and food bank.
Natalie Thornton, Senior Project Coordinator for Siemens Mobility in Goole, said: “We’ve really enjoyed volunteering and staff who weren’t able to give their time helped by donating additional toys to the appeal.
“It’s great to see such enthusiasm from so many team members at every level of the business. Many hands make light work and it’s also been a great team building exercise as we continue to put our roots down in Goole.”
Several staff from GMI Construction Group, the main contractor for the rail manufacturing facility, also volunteered to help to pack donated food.
Construction Director Martin Watson said: “We were pleased to join our colleagues at Siemens Mobility for a second year running to support the essential work of this food bank.
“Like Siemens Mobility, GMI is committed to making a difference in the communities in which it operates, whether that’s by creating local jobs, investing in skills or becoming involved in worthwhile causes, which, especially at this time of year, make a huge difference to the lives of so many people.”
Siemens Mobility has supported the local community in several ways during recent years, including donating fridge freezers, luxury hampers and bags of Christmas treats to the pantry, volunteering and making financial donations to buy much-needed items alongside GMI, donating selection boxes to children in Goole and supporting the first Goole Pride event earlier this year.
Councillor Anne Handley, Deputy Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and ward councillor for Goole North, who supported the Christmas volunteers with refreshments, said: “We’re so grateful to Siemens Mobility and GMI staff for volunteering their time to help.
“What Siemens Mobility has done for Goole, especially the community pantry, is nothing short of outstanding. They can’t do enough for the local community and their kindness and generosity is making a huge difference during these very challenging times. Nothing is ever too much trouble and we can’t thank them enough.”
For more information about the Two River Community Pantry and how to access the support that is available, go to www.tworiverscommunitypantry.co.uk
