WINNER: FRANCIS CONSTRUCTION SPONSORED BY BOYES TURNER
The Tilehurst construction company which was formed in 1889 has continually dedicated time and effort to the Reading community.
Francis Construction has raised or donated £25,000 to charities and their local community in the last four years alone, said the nominator, adding: “The business and their employees are continually volunteering their time.”
Examples are charity golf days, presentations at schools and colleges and inviting students to carry out workshops with them, and community maintenance projects as well as actively offering paid time off for volunteering to their employees. Staff have volunteered around 1,300 hours over the last five years, they added.
After winning the award, chairman Mark Barrett said: “It’s a team effort, the help we give (youth counselling group) No5 goes through the whole company which is a great local charity.
His son, managing director Will Barrett, added: “I did a 360km cycle ride around central south England in two days which was two long 14-hour days on the bike. We raised £2,500 doing that. It’s so important for us that we add value to the community. Giving back is so important.
“As a business we’re trying to get around the world with a mental health campaign. Everybody in the business by any human power means is trying to get 40,0875 km around the world and we’re about 5,000km off and need to get there by the end of the year. All of that is in aid of No5. We’re now dreaming up the goals for next year.”
