Press Release

Gatwick staff make a difference for The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy


08 November 2007

Not so much a case of pulling rabbits out of hats, staff from BAA have been putting rabbits into new hutches at a local epilepsy charity centre as part of the national Make a Difference Day.

BAA Gatwick has provided £6000 to pay for supplies to build a new small animal enclosure, with wheelchair access, based at the farm at The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE)’s campus in Lingfield, Surrey.   The supplies included cement, aggregate, wood, ready made hutches and chicken wire.   Having provided the equipment, BAA Gatwick also provided twenty volunteers over two days last week to help with the building work as well.

The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) is the UK's leading provider of education, assessment, rehabilitation, treatment and care for children and young people aged 5 to 25 with complex epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

The project on Thursday and Friday last week, further developed the long-standing relationship between the Centre and BAA Gatwick.  

“Make a Difference Day is an important part of our volunteering programme,” Julie Ayres, BAA Gatwick’s Community Relations Manager said.   “It is popular with our staff as it gives them a chance to get out and do something different while helping important community projects.”

Peter Moxley, The NCYPE’s Volunteer Development Officer said: “We were delighted to receive the generous support of BAA Gatwick who worked so strenuously for two days to create the small animal enclosure which will help our less able and more sensory students to gain important experiences. We look forward to inviting them back for the grand opening.”

CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK's biggest day of volunteering.  Last year was a huge success with 120,000 people throughout the UK taking part in community projects.   BAA Gatwick has supported Make a Difference Day for the last five years.  Last year a team from the airport helped to transform an outdoor space into a wildlife haven for elderly residents at Littlefair Care Home in East Grinstead.

Media enquiries :

Andrew McCallum, Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Tel: +44 (0)7827 983965
Email: andrew.mccallum@gatwickairport.com

Notes for editors:
The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy (NCYPE) is the UK’s major provider of specialist services for children and young people with complex epilepsy. A national charity, The NCYPE works in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and the Institute of Child Health. Located in Lingfield, Surrey, The NCYPE'S 200-acre campus includes St Piers School, St Piers Further Education College and a range of epilepsy diagnostic, assessment and rehabilitation services.

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