The UK’s leading developer of specialised leak detection and environmental protection systems, Andel, has sponsored a guide dog in Romania.
The Yorkshire SME has a satellite branch of its business in Romania so they were keen to support a local cause and help someone with hearing and visual impairments.
The Barnsley-based company donated EUR3000 to the Romanian charity, Light into Europe, to sponsor a Labrador called Eddie.
Light into Europe receives no state financial support and everything they do is due to the generosity of individuals who donate time and money, or companies who sponsor their activities.
Andel really enjoys finding unique and niche organisations that benefit on a large scale from a bit o financial help and the company has a long history of charitable work. Last year seven Andel volunteers drove to Poland to personally deliver five tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. And earlier this year Andel donated a boat to a Kenyan fisherman.
When the team heard about this organisation in Romania, they thought it sounded like a fantastic way to be able to make a big difference. They also look forward to regular updates on the guide dog’s growth, health and achievements.
Light into Europe Development Manager, Robert Bousie, said: “We are so happy to welcome Andel on board with us. Light into Europe is a British-Romanian charity that supports and empowers people with vision and hearing loss to be able to regain their independence and mobility and there are around 100,000 people with visual impairments and 40,000 people with hearing loss in Romania.
“We offer support through various mechanisms including raising and training the first Guide Dogs for the Blind in Romania, orientation and mobility classes, providing adaptive technology and big print textbooks as well as training and advocacy in Romanian Sign Language.”
Andel managing director, Peter Double, said: “We are so happy to be able to donate to such a personal cause. Life for people in Romania who have sight or hearing difficulties is already a huge challenge, so knowing we can help long-term in their daily lives with a guide dog, is so rewarding.”
As well as its flood alert and defence systems, Andel is responsible for oil storage, fuel maintenance, sampling, and inspections at more than 50% of all NHS trusts in England and two years ago pledged to go carbon-zero by 2025.
Earlier this year, the Lord Mayor of Leeds welcomed Andel to the University of Leeds Nexus Innovation Hub and the company won the Manufacturing Innovation at the Made in Sheffield awards.
Andel has previously won the Queen’s Award for Innovation and was cited as one of the success stories of the 2012 London Olympics – installing and commissioning several leak detection systems in the main stadium, the white-water canoe course, and the Olympic village.
Andel has also installed its Floodline system in prestigious London buildings including the Shard, the Houses of Parliament, the O2, the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building and Canary Wharf.
