Essar Stanlow steps forward to help children’s charity

A record breaking safety achievement at Essar Stanlow has seen a £3,000 donation to the Steps charity. For the first time in its 60 year history, the refinery achieved three million hours without a Recordable Injury. The donation was made through the Let’s Give programme, which links safety milestones and charitable giving with nominations made by employees and Business Partners who have had personal involvement with an organisation. Steps were nominated by Paul Jones, HSEQ Advisor for Hertel.

Steps is a national charity that supports all those who are affected by congenital lower limb conditions. Paul’s wife, Lorraine, suffers from club foot, and they both recognise the benefits that families can have from getting the right support, early on.

Paul Jones said: “The Steps charity is a vital service for those affected by childhood leg conditions, from providing emotional and practical support, to raising public awareness.”

Every year in the UK, 2,500 babies are born with a serious childhood lower limb condition. These leg conditions vary in their symptoms, frequency and prognosis. But without the correct diagnosis, treatment and support, it would be impossible for any of these children to walk properly later in life.

Neil Jones, Steps Chief Executive commented: “We are grateful to Essar for this generous donation. The £3,000 will certainly help hundreds of families. Many of them are feeling lost and upset when told that their child has a lower limb condition. We offer a service that can comfort, reassure and support them through their journey. We provide literature and a website with the latest information on their child’s condition, as well as a networking support service, so that they can gain strength from other families going through similar challenges. Or, it could be practical support like providing funding towards a specially adapted car seat, something that is vital to enable the families to get their child to and from the inevitable multiple hospital appointments.”