Cheadle MP drops into local engineering firm to honour fundraising feats for the Seashell Trust

12.33.28pm GMT Thu 8th Jan 2009

Mark with the staff at Jacobs who abseiled to raise money for the Seashell Trust

Staff at a local engineering firm welcomed Cheadle MP Mark Hunter who dropped in to the business to acknowledge the impressive fundraising feats carried out by employees on behalf of the Seashell Trust.

Employees at Jacobs Engineering (UK) Limited have been helping to raise money to support deaf and disabled students at the Seashell Trust's Royal College Manchester in Cheadle Hulme in tribute to a popular colleague who died in 2007.

Derek Barley, 61, who was hearing impaired, was tragically killed by a falling tree during the storms of January 2007. His colleagues at Jacobs in Cheadle have taken part in a series of fundraising events in his memory, including an impressive abseil down the 200ft Baitings Dam in Halifax.

Fundraising efforts will continue until March 2009 when Jacobs will present the Seashell Trust with a cheque, expected to be in the region of £7,000, for the money raised over a 12 month period.

Trish Dolan, Charity Co-ordinator at Jacobs, explains: "Each year we choose a local charity to support and Derek's colleagues wanted to do something special this year as a legacy to Derek. Derek was himself hearing impaired so we all felt that raising money for the Seashell Trust would be a fitting tribute."

After the visit Mr Hunter said, "I was very impressed by the efforts and hard work of everyone at Jacobs and I know that everyone at the Seashell Trust is very grateful for their amazing contribution.

"It was great to meet everyone at the firm and to hear about all the different ways in which they are raising money in memory of Derek. The 200ft abseil sounded particularly impressive and shows a real dedication to fundraising for such a worthy cause."

Extending her thanks to everyone at Jacobs, Helen Clayton, Corporate and Events Fundraiser at the Seashell Trust says: "We were thrilled when Jacobs offered to raise money for the school. Among the many different fundraising feats they have taken part in, the Baitings Dam abseil was certainly the most challenging.

"Our students have a wide range of complex conditions and support like this means we can continue to invest in modern facilities which match their learning needs. It is a fitting tribute to Derek who will not be forgotten by his family and friends, his colleagues at Jacobs and everyone at the Seashell Trust."