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Employees help Europe’s poor
Wednesday February 17th 2010. Posted: 08:00
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Rob pictured with children at the Moldovan orphanage
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Hundreds of orphans, schoolchildren and elderly people in Europe’s poorest country have benefited from a charity aid drop led by BT people.
Giving up three weeks of their annual leave, the group - including BT Operate project manager Vic Tallowin, Openreach engineer Rob Brown, and Chris Cook of BT procurement and supply chain - drove thousands of miles to Moldova to distribute thousands of pounds worth of aid including medicine, food, clothes and computers. Rob said it was a trip he “wouldn’t have missed for the world” - despite getting their BT logistics-supplied lorry impounded by Moldovan customs, forcing them to stay an extra week to sort out the paperwork. “What motivates us to do this is the response we get from the kids and the elderly when we get to Moldova with our supplies - all of which are donated by colleagues, friends and pensioners all over the UK,” he said. “I can’t describe the gratitude on their faces - it is so humbling, that even with the benefit of foresight we still would have made the trip.” BT support Rob is chairman of Telecoms Eastern European Challenge (TEECH). Now a registered charity, it was set up in 1998 by Vic and other BT employees to help repair two hospitals in Romania. Although totally independent, many TEECH volunteers still work for BT and the company actively supports the charity - primarily by supplying the articulated lorry that volunteers use to drive out all their aid. Rob said: “For two weeks in August we’ll be helping an orphanage and school for children with mental health issues which has no hot or cold running water or indoor toilets. “A team of 30-40 volunteers - armed with tools and donations - will set to work cleaning, painting and carrying out general building renovations, electrical work and plumbing for toilets and showers.” “While we’re there, we’ll also distribute much-needed aid to various other orphanages and schools, hospitals and old people’s homes in the area.” Visit the TEECH website to see a wish list of donations and a full diary of Rob’s trip - or to volunteer. - BT people who would like to volunteer for a good cause should also visit BT's volunteering website for details of the latest volunteering opportunities. People who already volunteer in their local community or further afield are also being encouraged to register what they do for the chance to win an iPod Touch or £500 for the cause they support.
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Last updated:
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