Fawley (24 July 2008) -- The original music room at a Waterside school has been given a new lease of life thanks to the help of Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at the Fawley.

Children at Marchwood Infant School are being inspired afresh following the redecoration work and new lighting, shelving and musical instruments.

The work was funded by a donation of £1,500 from ExxonMobil in recognition of the time and effort two employees and their families have put into volunteering with the school. A number of other organisations also contributed to the cost, including the school’s PTA.

The money has been donated under two special schemes. The first is designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations as volunteers. The second recognises the effort and commitment shown by the 50 employees who serve on the governing bodies of local schools.

Both schemes not only help local organisations, but also improve the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.

One of the grant applicants, Richard Lodge, is a technical specialist at Fawley refinery. His wife, Kim, volunteers at the school on a weekly basis and their daughter Kirstie is a pupil. Richard Carter, the second applicant, is a shift leader on the Butyl Polymers plant at ExxonMobil Chemical and is chairman of governors at the school.

Kim said: “Over the years the school has received several awards from the company and it has put each and every one to good use. The communal area was old and tired and has been given a new lease of life thanks to this refurbishment project. The school has also benefited from new whiteboards and a series of other projects in the past.”

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme at Fawley, together with its sister scheme for school governors, has so far contributed £350,000 to local community projects since it was started five years ago.