Caring Corus staff have donated £500 received for exceeding company Health & Safety targets to local Newcastle charitites!

Employees at Corus Service Centre on Blaydon’s Chainbridge Road Industrial Estate chose to split the money between the Motor Neurone Disease Centre at Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Jesmond-based regional office of Cancer Research UK - because both charities have enhanced the lives of family members and friends.

General manager John Roxby explains: “It's a great achievement and we’re delighted that measures we have taken to maximise the health and safety performance of the site and protect employees have also resulted in being able to contribute in a small way to help members of the local community.

“Because we’re a very close knit team, the choice of charities was unanimous. Our colleague Malcolm Wasp recently lost his daughter to cancer, while the wife of another worker, Ray Salkeld, is currently suffering - although we’re very hopeful she’ll make a full recovery.

“And Derek Henderson’s wife is now being treated at the city’s Motor Neurone Disease Centre on a regular basis, so he deserves all our support too during these difficult times.”

Derek adds: “Cancer Research UK seemed an obvious one because of all that Malcolm and Ray have been through, but I was chuffed to bits when the lads chose the Motor Neurone Disease Centre. Yvonne is over the moon and I know the Centre value every penny they get for research and patient care.”

Corus Service Centre was awarded the £500 by senior directors after a year of accident-free operation and sustained efforts from all employees to further improve health and safety levels.

Margaret Robinson, north east area manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled the Corus Blaydon workers chose us because donations like this do make all the difference.

“The majority of our donations are made like this by the public, as we get very little help with funding and our research work, and Corus’ efforts to ‘play safe’ mirror our own message.”

Cancer Research UK is currently running a publicity campaign called ‘Reduce The Risk’ which shows how over half of all cancers could be prevented by a healthier diet, less alcohol intake; no smoking and staying smart in the sun.

Pic show (l to r): Margaret Robinson of Cancer Research UK, Corus Health & Safety Facilitator John Clarke (who is the brother-in-law of co-worker Derek Henderson and received the £250 cheque on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Centre) and general manager John Roxby.