We need and seek the goodwill of our neighbouring communities and encourage the individual businesses to engage with them.
Chemring seeks opportunities to develop closer relationships with the communities within which we operate and support good causes related to our market. A few of our activities are described here.
Chemring Sponsors UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge
“Encouraging school children to enter the world of aerospace, engineering and science”
Chemring was proud to be one of the sponsors of the 2009 UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKAYRoC). The Challenge was to design, construct and successfully launch a rocket, carrying one raw medium size hen’s egg to an altitude of 750 feet with a flight time of 45 seconds, then return this payload safely and undamaged to earth.
Fifty three teams from around the UK completed qualification flights in front of an independent UKRA member and an independent witness, with the top 20 teams being able to qualify for the UK final fly-off event which took place on 2nd April 2009 at Charterhouse School, Surrey.
Royal Liberty School Team 1, from Romford in Essex, took home the winner's trophy by completing the contest's task most successfully. The winners will now attend the US Team America Rocketry Challenge on 16th May 2009 in the USA and also attend the Paris Air Show in June 2009. 2nd place was awarded to Saffron Walden Team 1 also from Essex, 3rd place to Victoria College from Belfast, 4th place to Thornton Grammar from Bradford and 5th place to the 2nd Royal Liberty Team.
Dr David Price, Chief Executive of Chemring, presenting the runners-up prize to Saffron Walden Team 1
For further details please visit UKAYRoC website http://www.ukayroc.org.uk/
Chemring Energetics UK Ltd
Chemring Energetics UK Ltd (CEUK) is the main sponsor of a local rugby team (Irvine Rugby Club). CEUK sponsorship has enabled the Club to employ 2 rugby development officers to provide in-house coaching at primary and secondary schools in the North Ayrshire area. The number of children training with the Club has also significantly increased.
The photograph shows members of the Club together with CEUK General Manager Eddie Sharkey and HR Manager Margaret Greenlees
As part of the Ayrshire Business in the Community 2008 Apprentice Challenge, CEUK Apprentices are repairing a sundial in memory of Ardeer Site employees who died during the Second World War. A small garden is also planned. The project has the support of the local branch of the Royal British Legion who is to arrange a dedication ceremony.
Project Stanley
Chemring supported Project Stanley which was established to aid veterans, widows and families visiting the Falkland Islands by building and fitting out a new house in Port Stanley for visitors to stay.
Kilgore Flares Company LLC
Kilgore Flares continued to be a good corporate citizen in 2008:
Kilgore Flares maintains a relationship with the "American Cancer Society" Jackson, TN area chapter with weekly donations through employee contributions. Two-hundred six (206) employees currently participate in the donation effort and the total donation for the year 2008 was $22,035.50.
Kilgore Flares sponsors an annual "Higher Education Scholarship" to the Toone Elementary School. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating 8th grade student to pursue a college education after graduating from high school. The $500.00 scholarship is placed in the local bank to be awarded to the student upon graduation.
In 2008 the selected student from the 2003 scholarship award declined the funds to pursue a career in the military. The bank inquired what to do with the money. Those funds were then donated to a local military family in need of extra help during the holiday season.
Kilgore Flares annually participates in the "Hardeman County Foster Children's Gift Program". The names and ages of the children are provided by the county. Kilgore employees take one child's name to buy a gift for. Last year they had 56 children on the list of foster children from the county. This is such a successful program and employees are so very generous that it took the company van to transport all of the gifts to City Hall for the gift distribution.
Chemring Countermeasures Ltd
Chemring Countermeasures Ltd’s chosen Charity for year 2007/2008 was the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Over the year the company organised numerous activities to raise funds including a book stall in their canteen, cake sales, a family fun day in July, golf days and much more, raising over £1500. The company presented the monies to Wiltshire Air Ambulance in a ceremony held on the 20th August 2008 at their Salisbury site.
From left to right Gill Street, Carol Swinton Adrian Voce, Steve Riddle (Paramedic) Lee Maggs, Kevin Stevens, Simon Darling, Paula Kelly
Alloy Surfaces Company Inc.
Alloy Surfaces employees donated gifts to the annual Salvation Army Christmas Tree Program. The program provides toys and clothing for needy children in the local area during the Holiday season.
John LaFemina, Alloy Surfaces President, with the donated gifts
Martin Electronics, Inc.
Martin Electronics, Inc. was recognised by the Governor of the State of Florida as one of the exceptional employers in the State due to its commitment to hiring employees with disabilities. Suzanne Sleigher, Vice President of Administration and Margie Walsh, Assistant HR Manager attended the ceremony and received the award.
From left to right: John Mark, Tallahassee Mayor, Governor Charlie Crist, Margie Walsh, Suzanne Sleigher, APD Director Jim DeBeaugrine and then VR Director Bill Palmer
BDL Systems Ltd
On Sunday 1st June 2008 a team of 14 members of BDL Systems staff entered a 5k race in Poole Park to raise money for a local charity Julia’s House (www.julias-house.org). The event turned out to be a very enjoyable and successful day. Finishing times ranged from just under 25 minutes to 56 minutes.
From left to right: Rachel Ford, Anna Bugajska, Colin Williams, Jocelyn Kent, Alan Clasby, Maureen Lever, Iain Machin, Dave Hackwell, Denise Parsons, Phil Short, Mark Ralling, Graham Partridge (Sam Stevens and Jill Lovell - not in photograph)
Richmond EEI Ltd
Employees from Richmond EEI Ltd raised more than £2300 (£500 donated by Richmond EEI) for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (“E.A.C.H.”), by taking part in a Bike Ride through Thetford Forest in May 2008.
E.A.C.H. cares for local children with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and supports their family. The children may only have a very short time to live, others may reach young adulthood.
Carl & Michelle Moorhouse with Daughter Bethany
Jacob Moorhouse Died in December 2007 Aged 8 years
E.A.C.H.’s aim is always the same – to enhance their quality of life and support their family.
Richmond EEI got involved with E.A.C.H. when one of their employees’ son was referred to them due to his complex special needs. They offer a diverse range of services including: care at end of life, short break care, specialist play, music therapy, telephone support, practical help, advice and information and bereavement support for all family members, including siblings and grandparents. The bereavement support is very important, enabling families to get together with other families who have also recently lost a child. The funding for E.A.C.H., and many other hospices, relies largely on charitable donations from local people.
Chemring Defence UK Ltd
Three employees from Chemring Defence UK Ltd braved the cold and wet weather of Derby and donned their running shoes and set off on the longest run of their lives. The Derbyshire Building Society Annual Derby 10k.
All three of them made the course in less than one hour and thoroughly enjoyed the whole event, so much so that they are now talking about the Great North run and London marathon, but not for a few years yet as more training will be required. They chose to run for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and between them managed to raise over £700. The ABF has been going since the end of the Second World War and the fund has given financial support and practical advice to Soldiers, former Soldiers and their families in times of need.
From left to right Stuart Butler-Latham, Simon Lee & Dave Kirk