An enthusiastic team of NI Water volunteers recently helped at Riding for the Disabled Association near Coleraine. The volunteers helped this fantastic local charity in a number of ways including painting the main arena and indoor fencing.

The volunteering day is part of NI Water’s ‘Cares Challenge’ project which has been operating successfully for over ten years and is one of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in the province.

To date over 1,850 colleagues have helped in over 130 challenges, this equates to over 13,000 hours of volunteering hours to help support communities across Northern Ireland. In the latest project, volunteers from across the organisation made a valuable contribution to Riding for the Disabled Association.

Lynn Martin, Cares Challenge Volunteer from NI Water, said: “We had a great day and it was lovely to see the horses and contribute to this worthwhile charity”.

As part of the programme, activities are planned for various groups throughout Northern Ireland each year and are set up in partnership with Business in the Community’s NI Cares Programme. The programme identifies organisations and charities within the local community who need a helping hand with physical tasks such as gardening and painting.

Rose Kelly, Director of People and Learning, explained: “Our handy helpers have undertaken everything from gardening, painting and maintenance to environmental and fundraising days.  It is often the extra support that these groups require to enhance their facilities, improve the lives of their members and operate their centres successfully.

“Volunteering has also proved to be a key part of our health and wellbeing toolkit.  Our teams gain so much from the experience, not only by helping the community, but also having the chance to spend time with colleagues from around the business that they might not otherwise have a chance to meet.”

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