EDF pays its respects
A Sunderland call centre is one of the first companies in the region to mark its support for an initiative that commemorates the centenary of the end of World War One.
As part of a nationwide ‘Silent Soldier’ campaign being organised by the Royal British Legion in remembrance of those who fought and died in the Great War, EDF Energy has installed one of the charity’s life-size Tommy silhouettes at the entrance to its Doxford International Business Park customer services centre.
As well as marking its support for the national remembrance campaign, the poignant reminder also reinforces the fundraising and support work undertaken all year round by EDF Energy employees for veterans and armed forces charities across the region.
Bringing the Tommy silhouette to the Doxford offices was the idea of former soldier Paul Davis, who served in the Falklands, Northern Ireland and the first Gulf conflict as part of a 15 year-career in the armed forces before he joined EDF Energy, where he is now a telephone operations manager.
As part of his role, Paul, from Durham, also helps to co-ordinate a forces support network across all the company’s sites and, along with other former military colleagues within the company, organises a number of special fundraising activities for various ex-services charities in the North East.
The EDF Forces Employee Network provides support and mentoring to those who have joined the energy company after a career in the armed forces.
It helps them to overcome any particular problems they may have and supports them in integrating successfully among colleagues and within the business generally.
“The silent soldier is a unique way to mark the centenary of the First World War and we are proud to demonstrate our support for the RoyalBritishLegion’scampaignin this way,” said Paul.
“As well as commemorating those in the armed forces who came home ‘silently’ from the war and those who tragically never made it back, we hope that it will also help to educate younger generations and represents our respect for all ex-armed forces personnel.”
The installation of the Silent Silhouette at the Doxford customer services centre forms part of a range of activities being organised by the company to mark Armistice this year.