Wales & West Utilities has answered an appeal which will help put smiles on the faces of vulnerable children across Cardiff as the company plays secret Santa to over twenty youngsters and their families.
Colleagues working at the gas emergency and pipeline service’s headquarters in Celtic Springs in Newport have collected and delivered gifts, which will be given to twenty families across the city this Christmas.
Wales & West Utilities has supported Cardiff City Council’s social services team for three years and is delighted to spread some festive cheer to families who would usually see Christmas go by them.
Rachel Jones, who is part of Wales & West Utilities People and Engagement team, said:
“We are delighted to play our small part and support the Council’s appeal.
“Christmas can be difficult for many people and the sad thing is without these gifts these children wouldn’t have any presents to open on Christmas morning.
“Our team worked hard to collect gifts for all children and now hope that they will bring big smiles to their faces on Christmas day.”
The children supported through the present appeal are from families in need for a variety of reasons and would be unlikely to have any presents for Christmas this year.
The support to the Christmas present appeal is part of Wales & West Utilities commitment to giving something back to the communities it works in.
Sue Davies, Family Support Worker at Cardiff City Council, said:
“We are thrilled that Wales & West Utilities have supported our appeal once again. They have been fantastic in supporting us with our plans for Christmas, we are hugely appreciative of their generosity not only with donations of toys and goods but also of their time and dedication to our service.
“The children and families we serve have experienced child abuse and neglect. For these families, Christmas comes with dread as the children do not understand that their parents cannot provide presents for them and they do not have the same experiences as their peers at school.
“The thought and care in the present selection provided by the generous staff at Wales & West Utilities has been greatly appreciated by the parents of the children. It is a privilege for us to deliver these presents, which decreases the stress parents are experiencing as they struggle to afford anything other than food, shelter and clothing. This pressure creates strain in families and, when eliminated, parents are able to focus on spending time and creating memories with their children rather than suffering from anxiety or guilt on not being able to provide what the children’s friends experience.
“Our team serves approximately 200 children at any given time; we are hoping to expand our partnership with Wales & West Utilities to continue to brighten families holiday season for years to come.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves Wales and the south west of England, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.