A major safety achievement at Essar Stanlow has seen a £3,000 donation made to Hinderton School in Ellesmere Port, after the refinery achieved four million hours without a Lost Time Injury. The donation was made through the Let’s Give programme at Stanlow which links safety milestones and charitable giving, with nominations made by employees who have had personal involvement with the organisation.
Maintenance Technician Stephen Thomas explained why he had nominated Hinderton School: “Hinderton School is a local special school that specialises in helping children with autism spectrum disorder and is very close to our hearts as our son Cody attends there. Cody is 5 years old, non-verbal and has autism spectrum disorder and global development delay disorder.
“Our world was turned upside down when Cody was diagnosed with autism. It was a first in our family and wasn't something we knew or had heard of much, so we didn't know what to expect for his future. Cody cannot speak, he uses some sign language and single words, cannot feed himself with a spoon or fork and is unable to dress or undress himself. Over time we knew Cody wouldn’t be able to cope in a mainstream school and although he was progressing it was very slow progress. We were heartbroken.
“However Hinderton came to our rescue. They have been fantastic with Cody and ourselves and we are beginning to see Cody make even more progress. The school has helped us as parents with courses to help understand our special little people even more. But most importantly, they have given us hope, and through the determination and caring nature of the teaching staff we hope Cody and all the other children will continue to make fantastic progress.”
Liz Clutton, Hinderton School Business Manager, said: “We are really grateful for the donation made by Essar. We are a community primary special school for children across the Cheshire West and Chester area with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and social communication needs and we are looking to renew and extend the existing outdoor play area for the children who are between 3 to 11 years old.
“This came out of a direct request from a Working Group held at the school which included pupils and staff. Parents and the local community are supportive of this initiative and have been involved in fundraising. The play equipment will help our pupils develop important life skills through social interaction and sharing of equipment, both of which children with ASC can have difficulty with. The play equipment will also help the children to become physically fitter, improving both their physical and mental wellbeing.”
