Members of staff at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine, lead contractors for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the 42-acre Battersea Power Station regeneration project, have donated over 560 children’s books, educational toys and gift vouchers to three local primary schools in Battersea as part of the annual ‘Give a Book for Christmas’ appeal.
The donations were presented to pupils at St Mary’s RC Primary School, St George’s CE Primary School and Griffin Primary School in Battersea last week to ensure that every child went home with a Christmas present.
Claire Mitchell, Associate Head Teacher at St Mary’s RC Primary School, said:
“The generosity from the team at Battersea Power Station has been overwhelming. They have worked tirelessly to provide good quality children’s books, educational toys and gift vouchers to give to our children this Christmas. It has been a tough year for some of our families and we know they will be thrilled with the kindness that has come their way. Thank you to everyone at Battersea Power Station from your neighbours at St Mary’s RC Primary School.”
Councillor Will Sweet, Wandsworth Council Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said:
“This is a wonderful and generous gesture by workers at the Power Station and will bring lots of Christmas cheer to children at these three primary schools. I hope they enjoy reading the books over the Christmas holiday and are inspired to return to classrooms in January to talk enthusiastically about their favourite authors and their favourite books.”
Alex Baker, Director of Communities and Sustainability at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said:
“The ‘Give a Book for Christmas’ appeal is a fantastic initiative and one that all of us at Battersea Power Station are delighted to support each year. 2020 has been challenging for everyone and coming together as a community has never been more important. We are proud to have been able to ensure that students at Griffin Primary School, St George’s CE Primary School and St Mary’s RC Primary School each received a present before heading home for the Christmas break.”
The Battersea Power Station Foundation, which was established by the shareholders of the Battersea Power Station development, has also given £30,000 of grants to several local organisations to support them this festive season. These include local charities Carney’s Community, Caius House, Providence House, FAST, Devas and Elays Network, which support young people in the community.
Grants have also been made to the Rotary Club of Battersea Park, who will be sending £10 food vouchers to members who would usually attend their annual Christmas lunch, and to the food surplus charity, Waste Not Want Not, who will be providing Christmas dinners for people in need.
Battersea Power Station’s iconic chimneys were illuminated green on 7th December, and a donation was made by the Foundation to the NSPCC to support the charity’s ‘Still Here for Children’ Christmas campaign, which aims to raise awareness of child neglect during the festive period and all year round.
Power to Connect, an initiative launched by Battersea Power Station and Wandsworth Council to tackle digital poverty in the borough, has received additional funding from the Foundation to purchase laptops and tablets, which will be distributed via schools to local families in need of support. To date, more than 450 devices have been refurbished and donated to 57 schools across Wandsworth.
Furthermore, the Nine Elms Arts Ministry has received funding for its annual Advent Calendar trail, which will be lighting up the windows and hearts of the Nine Elms and Battersea Community until 2nd January.
