STAFF from intu Lakeside dug out their tools and gardening gloves and lent a hand on a construction project in Canvey Island to create a new community space within a social housing estate. intu Lakeside also donated £3,000 to Cash for Kids, the Magic 105.4 charity coordinating the project, to develop the ‘Pocket Play’ area.
Children and young people are amongst the most at risk of long term damage, in particular when low levels of outdoor play and exercise are coupled with a poor diet. New community spaces, fitted into unused corners or scrubby areas of grassland within local estates, with low wooden stepping spirals and small seating areas are all that is needed to get children outside in the fresh air.
Members of the intu Lakeside management, Technical Services and Security teams left their regular duties behind for the day while they lent a helping hand at creating one of these new community spaces. Even though they were covered in mud and exhausted by the end, they finished the day feeling immensely proud of the results of their hard work.
Izzie Peskett, Marketing Manager for intu Lakeside, says; “The changes that Magic 105.4’s Cash for Kids projects can make to our local communities is truly remarkable, which is why we were delighted to support them on this project. It was a pleasure to be able send the team there in person to lend a hand and we hope our contribution will make a positive difference to the lives of the residents in Canvey.”
Zoe Bailie, Magic 105.4’s Cash for Kids Charity Manager, says: “One of our aims as a charity is to bring a little magic to children in urban areas. We are thrilled that the financial (and physical!) support of intu Lakeside has enabled us to create this wonderful area in Canvey, for the local children to enjoy”.
