AOL Broadband Invest Further in the Local Community Back to Media Releases

Much has been written about CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility. For AOL Broadband, it’s more than just a buzzword.  Over the last number of years, the company has continuously invested in its local CSR Programme.

Charity events with a difference

AOL Broadband chose Childline as their charity of the year 2007/2008, and over the last number of months, the company has hosted several fundraising events such as the Summer Calor BBQ and the ‘Cheerios Breakfast Together’ event at Kidzone in Ardkeen, Waterford.  The company recently hosted a ‘Feel Good Friday Fundraiser’. Several fundraising activities took place for employees in the contact centre throughout the day including Space Hopper Races, Neck and Shoulder Massages, Leg Waxing, Head Shaving, Sponsored Silences, to name but a few! Some €2,500 was raised by employees for Childline on the day. AOL Broadband also recently hosted an Easter Egg Hunt Childline Fundraiser for employees and their children. This took place in the gardens of Faithlegg House Hotel on Easter Saturday, 22nd March. The event was a resounding success and the company look forward to hosting similar fundraising events in the future. By June 2008 AOL Broadband will have donated in excess of €10,000 to Childline.

Supporting the local community

Following on the theme of helping young people to access better opportunities, AOL Broadband has supported many local community groups.  To date, the company has donated funds to local community projects and sporting organisations such as the Killure Grove After School Project, the Blackwater Basketball Team and to Waterford Youthreach for their contribution to the 2008 St. Patrick’s Day parade.  

Jim Darcy, Coordinator of Waterford Youthreach said, “This generous donation from AOL Broadband will enable us provide better services and engage our young audience in a very positive way”.

Maria Dunphy of the Killure After School Project echoed this sentiment. “This donation we received will enable us to purchase musical equipment for the children on the project, such as bongo drums and percussion sets,  which is great for the children’s’ development - we are very grateful to AOL Broadband”, said Maria.

Supporting the local arts and getting people involved in music and culture has also been a key part of the programme.  Last year AOL Broadband took centre stage at Spraoi, the biggest annual outdoor event in the South East Region.

Volunteering – it’s about the people

Volunteering is one area the community groups find particularly helpful.  AOL Broadband runs regular volunteering activities which enable employees to take one day’s paid leave per year to assist through volunteer work. At a recent project, AOL Broadband employees took up their garden tools to transform a garden as part of a Barnardo’s Project at the Tramore Youth & Community Centre. The volunteers did trojan work and children attending the community centre can now use this space for play activities. Other volunteering activities recently undertaken by AOL Broadband include a litter clean up of St. John’s riverbank for the Irish Wildlife Trust and are regular supporters of the Lion’s Club and WLR Fm Christmas Appeal.

Today, AOL Broadband donates over 600 voluntary hours to charity annually as well as contributing in excess of EUR 35,000 in charitable donations. This investment in the community would not be possible without the enthusiasm and generosity of the company’s employees. “Without the ideas, suggestions, and of course the generous contributions from our employees, we would not be able to develop such a robust CSR Programme and play a role as a significant employer in the local region…we are very grateful for their input!”  Says Elaine Connolly, Communications Manager at AOL Broadband.

Media Contact Information

Media Contact at TalkTalk

Elaine Connolly
Senior Communications Manager, TalkTalk Residential Customer Service.
T: 051 333 298 E: Elaine.Connolly@aolbb.co.uk

About TalkTalk

TalkTalk, launched in February 2003, is the home phone and broadband company from The Carphone Warehouse. It now has over 4 million customers and is the largest supplier of Broadband to residential homes in the UK.  AOL Broadband was acquired by Carphone Warehouse in October 2006.

TalkTalk Waterford manages the customer support function for TalkTalk & AOL UK customers. Established in 1998, TalkTalk Waterford employs in excess of 700 employees.Follow TalkTalk on Twitter and on our blog: http://www.twitter.com/talktalktips and http://www.talktalkblog

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