Safe working at OGN Group has raised thousands of pounds for four charities and will help seriously ill children in hospital remain close to their families during their treatment.
The Sick Children’s Trust, along with three other charities, has received £1,125 from OGN after being nominated by staff through its Safety Incentive Scheme.
Under the Safety Incentive Scheme, created by OGN and delivered in partnership with their client Kvaerner, money is raised based on positive attitudes and performance towards safety and safe working practices demonstrated by all staff operating on the Hadrian Yard in Wallsend. Money is put into the scheme and at the end of every three months it is collected to be donated to local causes.
Alongside three other charities, the donation will support The Sick Children’s Trust, which provides free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support, for families with children receiving treatment in hospital. The charity has two ‘Homes from Home’ in Newcastle, Crawford House at the RVI and Scott House at Freeman Hospital. In the last year, both houses have supported over 1050 families with critically ill children, allowing them to stay together just minutes from their child’s bedside.
Grant Thompson’s daughter, Emily was recently admitted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary for Leukaemia treatment; he stayed at The Sick Children’s Trust’s Crawford House and said: “The Sick Children’s Trust has made our lives so much easier and for that we are truly grateful.”
Other beneficiaries of the scheme include The Great North Children’s Hospital Unit (RVI), the Huntington’s Disease Association and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND).
OGN Group is a long-term supporter of MND; earlier in the year it held a charity football match against Barrier Group, an engineering firm also based on Wallsend, in honour of two friends – Keith Hallway and Adam Peacock – who sadly both lost their battles with the disease.
Robert Saether, HSE/Quality Manager in the Kvaerner site team, said: “It’s already difficult enough for ill children and their family without having to worry about travel and accommodation, which is why the provision made by The Sick Children’s Trust is so important.
“The response to the safety initiative from all personnel has been first class, and we are delighted that, due to all of the hard work onsite, we are now able to help support worthy charities, such as The Sick Children’s Trust.”
“At the end of each quarter, when we come to decide upon our chosen charities, there is an abundance of worthy causes. Knowing there are more people we can help by working safely gives staff the extra motivation to adhere to, and improve, working practices.”
Andrew Leadbitter, Scott House Manager, says: “Every day, I speak to families whose lives have been turned upside down by the news their child needs lifesaving treatment. The Sick Children’s Trust’s job is to ensure we can be there for them, to allow them to be there for their sick child when they need their family the most. It costs us £28 to provide a room for family for one night, so this generous donation will help us support families at one of the most difficult times imaginable.”