SES Water has partnered with The Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF), donating £8,000 towards building a new wildlife centre for the charity.
The Foundation, based in Leatherhead, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of British wildlife and deals with more than 20,000 wildlife-related incidents each year. It is passionate about protecting the future of native species – 1 in 7 species in the UK are faced with extinction (in our life time), and 50% of all British species are in decline.
As part of SES Water’s wider community partnerships programme, it has chosen to work with WAF to help build a new centre, which will allow the charity to care for more animals, while also inspiring future generations about the role they can play in conserving British wildlife.
The centre, which will be adjacent to the River Mole, will also include a café and community hub and is due to open in March 2025. It is being designed in the most sustainable way possible and admission will be free for visitors.
Both organisations are committed to having a positive impact on the environment and encouraging local people to play their part. This partnership will result in collaboration across key areas including education, with both SES Water and WAF already working with local schools. In addition, SES Water colleagues will have the opportunity to get hands on using the Company’s ‘Give-A-Day’ scheme and will spend time volunteering with WAF.
SES Water has donated more than £20,000 in total to local charity partners this year, all of which have been chosen on the basis of building meaningful long-term partnerships. Each of them also closely relates to the water company’s purpose of improving lives and enhancing nature.
SES Water Chief Executive Officer, Ian Cain, said:
“We’re honoured to be partnering with such a wonderful worthy local cause that does a huge amount of good, not only for the wildlife in the area, but also for the community.
“At SES Water we believe it’s not just our duty to supply high-quality drinking water, but also to support the communities we’re privileged to serve and enhance our local environment.
“We look forward to this fantastic new centre opening up and are sure the space will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”
Wildlife Aid Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Simon Cowell, said:
“We’re delighted and proud to be working in partnership with SES Water. With our shared values and goals we’re excited about the potential this partnership can bring to the community and Surrey’s wildlife.
“This collaboration will provide essential support for Wildlife Aid to develop a new Wildlife Aid Centre, while continuing to be recognised as one of the UK’s most respected wildlife rescue centres. Our partnership with SES Water will create the foundation for us to do even more.”
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