Generous Morganstone staff go the extra mile at Christmas

Generous staff at Morganstone, the South Wales construction company with offices in Llanelli and Cardiff, donated almost £1,000 worth of food and gifts to those in need this Christmas through a mixture of charitable initiatives.

A large part of the donations were raised by raffling a signed Ospreys rugby ball at the staff Christmas party. This raised almost £700 while individual staff also made contributions to specific causes.

A highlight for some staff was a joint visit with players from rugby region the Ospreys to children at Morriston Hospital many of whom will remain in hospital over Christmas.

Staff including projects manager Chris Weaver, community engagement manager Antonia John joined Santa Claus, Ospreys skipper Alun Wyn Jones and a number of other Ospreys players on a tour of the ward where they met with young patients and their families.

The company also donated food and gifts to a number of food banks across South West Wales including: Carmarthen Foodbank, Pembrokeshire Foodbank, Llanelli Foodbank and Swansea Foodbank.

The foodbanks were chosen because of their proximity to Morganstone head office and construction sites including Leonard Charles, Imble Lane and the Old Oak Housing Co-operative.

Staff also supported Cardiff Community Housing Association’s Christmas Shoe Box and Womens Aid appeal by donating scarfs, hats, hot water bottles, children’s books and food to families in need across Cardiff.

Finally, some staff alongside Gwalia and Wales Housing Co-operative were invited to the Old Oak Housing Co-operative Christmas party organised by the founder members where the children were given gifts by Morganstone’s very own Santa!

The co-operative housing project is the first of its kind in Carmarthenshire and one of only three being piloted in Wales.

Antonia John, community engagement manager for Morganstone, said:

“For the last couple of years we have donated gifts to Morriston Hospital Children’s Ward and also donated food to foodbanks in Wales. But this year all of the staff have really gone above and beyond to help so many great causes. It has been fantastic being out in the community making a difference again this year and the staff get so much from it as well.”

Ian Morgan, managing director of Morganstone, said:

“It is fantastic to see the team come together at this time of year in such a positive way to make a real difference to those in need. It has always been the ethos of the company to support our local communities and that is never more evident than at Christmas time. I am just very proud of all the staff and everything they have done this year.”