A collaboration of volunteers from the Hercules Integrated Operational Support (HIOS) Team recently spent the day helping The Raptor Foundation, a Cambridgeshire charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and return of injured birds of prey back to the wild.
The HIOS team, consisting of employees from Marshall Aerospace, the Ministry of Defence’s C-130J Delivery Team, and Rolls Royce, visited the Foundation’s centre in Woodhurst, Huntington, on 22 June to carry out essential maintenance work.
The team were delighted to spend their Marshall volunteering day being of service to this vitally important charity, working together on one of the hottest days of the year to replace a feed shed roof, remove an old conservatory and then replace it with block paving, and complete some much-needed clearing of the gardens around the Foundation’s wildlife pond.
Liz Blows, Chief Executive of the Raptor Foundation commented:
“I was amazed at the determination of the team and their good humour throughout the day in temperatures reaching 29°C in exposed areas, and the Foundation is extremely grateful for everything they accomplished.”
Steve Roberts, HIOS TSG Team Lead, who took part in the charity day, stated:
“The team worked tirelessly throughout the day in really warm conditions to do everything they could to give back to our local community. We all had a great day, but most importantly, it was great to be able to see such a difference to the Raptor Foundations site and see it transformed in just a day.”
“An additional bonus of working at the centre is the view of all the fantastic birds of prey they have rescued over the years,” he added. “I would encourage everyone to make the best use of our Charity Day in the wider community, and if you would like to volunteer at the Raptor Foundation, please see Doug White from the C130-J Delivery Team. We’ll be back next year.”