Rail firm staff’s safety first approach boosts Bluebell Wood by £14,800

VolkerWessels UK runs Close Call — a scheme for employees to report any situation which could cause a health and safety issue.

The firm donates £1 to charity for every potential problem, with half the cash going to the Samaritans and the rest to chosen charities.

Subsidiary company VolkerRail, based at Doncaster, has been raising money for North Anston’s Bluebell Wood.

The firm has also been donating a further £1 to the children’s hospice for every resolved Close Call.

Stuart Webster-Spriggs, health and safety director at the company, said: “VolkerRail prioritises the safety of all employees and stakeholders interacting on its work sites.

“Our Close Call scheme empowers our teams and creates a proactive approach to safety, which reduces the number of accidents and incidents in the workplace.

“Every close call reported and closed is another potential accident and incident prevented.”

He added: “The support and facilities provided by Bluebell Wood is vitally important.

“These donations and our long-standing relationship with the charity helps to ensure their work continues to support families in their time of need.”

Last year, 35,700 “close calls” were reported across VolkerWessels UK — raising £17,875 for the Samaritans and £6,689 for Bluebell Wood, with VolkerRail adding an additional £8,147 to the hospice’s donation.

Bluebell Wood’s regional fundraiser, Eleanor Hughes, said: “The hospice’s relationship with VolkerRail continues to go from strength to strength.

“Its employees are fantastic. They not only fundraise for us, they also take part in our events and give their time to volunteer at the hospice, too.”