Networks staff South East raise nearly €10k for charities

St. luke's cancer hospital, Dublin, Carlow Kilkenny Homecare Team and Laois Hospice were the beneficiaries of fund-raising effort by ESB Networks staff from Carlow, Kilkenny and Portlaoise recently.

When Carlow County Council requested an urgent three-phase medium voltage supply for a new pumping station at Friarstown, Bennekerry, Carlow, a suggestion was put to ESB management that the job be carried out as much as possible by staff off hours as an After Hours Scheme and the proceeds to be donated to the above selected Charities.

This was heartily agreed and the next step was to organise staff to undertake the task following pegging by the Design staff. Poling was completed and despite some way leave and weather issues, everything was ready for wiring, cabling and metering to commence and be completed in the main in one full day. Switch outs were arranged for the Saturday, which included the three-phase line, and interconnected single-phase network.

More than 50 Network Technicians turned up to carry out the work, most without being requested, while the Area Supervisor and Construction Supervisors and Engineering Officers donned overalls for the day. The job was completed on time and most importantly safely, as safety was paramount, as much of the work included road crossings and co-ordinating work crews and material, as well as the co-operation of landowners and public.

The total raised for the three charities amounted to almost €10k. This included a job donated by one member of Kilkenny staff who could not make the job on the Saturday. Paul Hickey, Customer Services Manager, South East, who made a donation on behalf of ESB, generously supplemented the monies. The staff are grateful to Paul and to Networks Manager Portlaoise, Cormac Fitzpatrick, for all their help and co-operation and to all the ESB staff for a really magnificent response.