22 December 2015

Costain, the engineering solutions provider, has beaten its ‘150 Challenge’ fundraising target, which called on everyone in the business to raise £1 million in 2015.

The Company announced this month that it has so far raised £1,085,000 for the Costain Charitable Foundation’s four chosen charities – the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Macmillan Cancer Support, youth charity The Prince’s Trust and Samaritans. Combined with the amount raised by Costain’s employees and supporters, the Company also made a contribution of £500,000.

The 150 Challenge commemorates Costain’s 150th anniversary. Since starting the challenge in January 2015, thousands of people - including employees, family, friends and members of the supply chain - have taken part in the year-long fundraising event.

“Across the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, Costain’s people have walked, ran, swam, cycled, climbed, washed, sung, rallied, baked, skydived, and much more besides, to raise money for the Company’s four charitable causes,” said Thomas Cleary, the Project Manager for the Costain 150 Challenge.

Catherine Warbrick, Costain’s Corporate Responsibility and Investor Relations Director, added: “Thank you to everyone who devoted their time, energy and enthusiasm to the 150 Challenge, it’s a fantastic achievement and will make such a difference to the charities.”

This was confirmed by the four chosen charities, which applauded the efforts of everyone involved:

Sarah Pettit from the British Heart Foundation said: “The Costain 150 Challenge has been inspirational. On behalf of the British Heart Foundation, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved for raising such a fantastic amount, which will help us continue to fund lifesaving research and make a better future for those living with heart disease.”

Rhys Parker from Macmillan Cancer Support said Costain had gone above and beyond to ensure a very challenging target was achieved.

“Everyone associated with the Challenge should feel extremely proud of their achievements. The money raised will go towards helping ensure no one faces cancer alone. On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, thank you very much,” said Rhys.

Deji Akande expressed his thanks on behalf of The Prince’s Trust.

“A big thank you to everyone at Costain for your incredible effort this year. The funds you have raised will help The Prince’s Trust change the lives of hundreds of young people across the UK,” said Deji.

Meanwhile James Woodcock from Samaritans said: “A huge thank you to Costain and everyone involved in the Costain 150 Challenge! What you have achieved will help ensure Samaritans are there for anyone who is struggling and needs a safe space to talk, in confidence, about whatever’s getting to them.”

 

Ends

Media Enquiries
Costain Communications Department
01628 842585
[email protected]

 

Notes to Editors (for further information, please visit the company website: www.costain.com)

Costain is an engineering solutions provider, which this year commemorates its 150th anniversary. The Company delivers integrated consulting, project delivery and operations and maintenance services. The Group's core business segments are in energy, water and transportation.

Notes on Costain’s four chosen charities

The British Heart Foundation

For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help, from babies born with life-threatening heart problems, to the many mums, dads and grandparents who survive a heart attack, and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.

For more information on the BHF, please visit bhf.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support

When you have cancer, you don’t just worry about what will happen to your body, you worry about what will happen to your life. Whether it’s concerns about who you can talk to, planning for the extra costs or what to do about work, at Macmillan we understand how a cancer diagnosis can take over everything.

That’s why we’re here. We provide support that helps people take back control of their lives. But right now, we can’t reach everyone who needs us. We need your help to make sure that people affected by cancer get the support they need to face the toughest fight of their life. No one should face cancer alone, and with your support no one will.

To get involved, call 0300 1000 200 today. And please remember, we’re here for you too. If you’d like support, information or just to chat, call us free on 0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm) or visit macmillan.org.uk

The Prince’s Trust

The Prince's Trust was founded in 1976 by The Prince of Wales and is now the UK's leading youth charity, offering a range of opportunities including training, personal development, business start-up support, mentoring and advice.

Around one in five young people in the UK are not in work, education or training. Youth unemployment costs the UK economy £10 million a day in lost productivity, while youth crime costs £1 billion every year.

The Trust addresses this by giving practical and financial support to the young people who need it most, deploying help in developing key skills, building confidence and motivation, and enabling young people to move into work, education or training.

For more information on The Princes Trust, please visit Princes-Trust.org.uk

Samaritans

Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Its 21,000 volunteers are available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place to talk for anyone struggling to cope, whoever you are and whatever life has done to you.

Please call 116 123 (this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill), email [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.