Member Article

Europa Raises the Flag for New Children’s Hospital Playground

Major local employer, Europa Worldwide Group, has officially unveiled a brand-new play area at a children’s hospital ward close to its headquarters in Dartford.

Europa donated £16,000 to buy new equipment for the playground of Willow Ward at Darent Valley Hospital. Children admitted to the ward had not been able to play outside since last summer when the hospital’s old climbing frame was deemed unsafe and cordoned off.

Now young patients will be able to play on an impressive wooden frame shaped like a galleon, which has lots of interactive features including a slide, portholes and a chalkboard. The equipment, which was installed by Dartford-based Playcubed, also includes a ramp to allow access for children of all mobility.

Europa employee, Credit Manager Chris McGurk, put forward the idea of fundraising for a new play area after visiting his friend’s children on the ward last year. He said: “It was devastating to see the children on the ward having to stay indoors due to the play area being in bad condition. The ward staff work so hard to care for the children, including dedicated play specialists who do a wonderful job to relax and distract the children by their bedside.

“I wanted to see what Europa could do to help to give the children the most positive experience during their time in hospital. Now, just a few months later, the children have a brilliant new facility. I’m so pleased we’ve been able to make a difference to the young patients of Willow Ward, and their families. I hope they have as much fun as possible exploring their exciting new ship!”

This project was chosen as the first of Europa’s 2018 community efforts. Together with a significant donation of £10,000 from the company’s charity fund, kind-hearted staff from across the UK took part in charitable challenges and activities to raise the remaining £6,000. Europa’s Leeds Branch Manager Nathan Lynn and Regional Manager Adrian Redmile raised an impressive £650 by running the Sheffield half-marathon in April.

Sally George, Head of Fundraising and Voluntary Services at Darent Valley Hospital, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Europa and all of their staff for donating their time and money, we are absolutely delighted with our new and improved play area. The ship looks fantastic and our young patients and their families are already exploring the equipment and getting the much-needed fresh air and physical activity to help aid their recovery.

“Projects like this just wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and goodwill of local businesses and the community. We are so grateful to Chris McGurk, Andrew Baxter and all at Europa for helping to make this dream playground a reality.”

Europa’s £30m 1Hub headquarters, in Albion Road, Dartford, is located just ten minutes from Darent Valley Hospital and many of Europa’s employees and their families have been treated there. The company was keen to continue its community support work in the area, having previously supported other local projects including an arts and education scheme with Gateway Primary Academy.

Andrew Baxter, Managing Director at Europa, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to play a part in this fantastic new playground for the children of Willow Ward. The hospital provides an essential service to all of our employees who live in the Dartford area so we were more than willing to get involved. I’d like say a huge thank you to our staff for their fundraising efforts.”

Europa Worldwide Group is a specialist road, air & sea and warehouse operator which now employs more than 750 staff across 14 sites in the UK plus operations in Belgium, Czech Republic and Hong Kong.

**www.europa-worldwide.com

LinkedIn: Europa Worldwide Group

Twitter: @EuropaWorldwide

Instagram: @europaworlwide**

ENDS

For further press information, additional photos or quotes contact Kathryn Greenwood or Emily Winsor-Russell at Eden Public Relations on 0115 958 8850 or email kathryn@edenpr.co.uk or emily@edenpr.co.uk

Notes to editors

Europa Worldwide Group is a fast-growing privately-owned freight forwarder which is structured into 4 operating companies – Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, Europa Warehouse and Europa Showfreight.

Europa Road operates the UK’s largest European groupage hub which is situated in Dartford. It’s network of 10 UK branches trunk into Dartford from where freight connects with daily, direct services to 30 continental hubs.

Europa Air & Sea’s team provide bespoke services to its clients from its branches in the UK and Hong Kong.

Europa Warehouse offers 3rd party logistics services to clients, from its 3 substantial warehouses in Dartford, Northampton and Birmingham.

Europa Showfreight provides logistics services for goods going to and from exhibitions. Following an ambitious front-end restructuring of the business after Andrew Baxter acquired it in 2013, turnover has grown from £76m to £141m in 2017, organic volume growth across the business is running at 20 per cent and its presence in the market is stronger than ever before. The company employs more than 650 people in the UK and Hong Kong.

The business has succeeded through a combination of friendly people management and investing heavily in IT and physical infrastructure.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Maryke Penman .