- HSBC EMPLOYEE HEADS TO KENYA TO INVEST IN NATURE
HSBC employee Nikki Brown from Heswall is setting off for two weeks of wildlife conservation in Kenya. Her expedition is part of Investing in Nature, an £11 million,
five year eco-partnership between HSBC and environmental NGO, Earthwatch Institute.
Nikki, an Employee Benefits Manager, will be leaving her desk in the Warrington office and joining scientists at the Mwea National Reserve in Kenya to help track songbird traffic at the tropical end of migration. Migratory songbird populations in Europe are in decline, but scientists lack the data to show whether birds are losing ground during the breeding season or during their winter migration south.
Working as part of an integrated conservation and research team, Nikki will learn to set up and patrol mist nets, help extract birds from them and transport-captured birds to the ringing site. With a team of international volunteers, she will weigh and measure birds, take blood samples, and assess their fat condition. All of this information will help scientists to gain insights into habitat degradation along the migratory route.
Nikki says:- "Ever since I completed my dissertation on ecology and forest management at Otley Chevin forest park I have been interested in the sustainability of wildlife habitat. This study will give me a fascinating insight into migratory songbirds and into the possible causes for their decline, including habitat degradation. Not only is this of great interest to me personally, but I think that the knowledge and skills I gain on this project will help me to further environmental awareness and enthusiasm in my local
area."
Nikki was selected from more than 220 thousand HSBC employees around the world and is just one of 500 HSBC Environmental Fellows who will work on Earthwatch conservation projects in 2004, ranging from Spanish dolphins to zebras in Kenya.
Over a period of five years, HSBC is offering 2,000 employees the opportunity to become involved in scientific field research and take part in vital conservation projects worldwide. By 2006 HSBC employees will have contributed the equivalent of a century of environmental research and 200 talented scientists will have received valuable training. The HSBC fellows will also be eligible for a grant of up to £400 to initiate a local environmental project on their return home.
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CALL FOR DOMESTIC AND CATERING SERVICES STAFF
EDGE HILL is holding two special open days to recruit more domestic and catering service staff to work at the Ormskirk Campus.
Ormskirk Job Centre is the venue for the open days, where a team from Edge Hill will be on hand to offer advice about domestic and catering service employment. The open days will take place on December 2 between 10am and 2.30pm and at the same time at Skelmersdale Job Centre on Tuesday December 7. Those interested are invited on a drop in basis.
Ann Collins, Edge Hill’s Head of Human Resources is keen to stress the benefits that domestic and catering employees enjoy at Edge Hill:- “This type of work is ideal for those who are looking for part time employment to fit around family commitments. We have just introduced a simple new application system without any complex form filling.
“Domestic and catering staff also enjoy the benefits of a good pension scheme, a staff social and welfare group, as well as access to training and development opportunities.”
Domestic Assistants are supported in taking qualifications that are recognised by employers nationally, such as NVQs in Cleaning and Building Interiors and food hygiene certificates.
Local Clinic Raises Hundreds for Charity
A clinic, based in Crosby raised over £300 for Breast Cancer Awareness. Patient Samantha Sheridan who has recently battled with breast cancer prompted the team to raise the money.
"Samantha was so brave and inspiring that we knew we had to try to help raise money for other victims of this terrible disease"
said Darren Harrop, Marketing Manager at the Birkdale Clinic.
The state of the art Birkdale clinic on Park Road in Crosby donated money to the appeal by paying to be allowed to wear pink clothes to work for a day.
Samantha is just one of a number of patients who undergo breast reconstruction at the clinic. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 36 in November last year after discovering a lump during a self-examination.
The clinic has sites in Crosby, Rotherham and Daventry, undertakes thousands of surgical procedures each year and employs some of the most experienced surgeons in the UK and USA; many of whom regularly perform breast reconstruction.
Darren Harrop says:- "Sam's case is sadly becoming more prominent. The procedure and after-care we offer is much more than just cosmetic surgery. We do refer people for counselling as well and we know that a reconstruction really helps boost patients' self-esteem and makes a difference to how they feel. Raising money for research is the least we can do to help."
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