Golfers helped raise nearly £2,000 for charity during BAE Systems Submarine Solutions’ charity golf event.

Organised as part of the company’s Five Day Global Charity Challenge, it saw 60 employees and members of its supply chain play Ulverston Golf Club.

Perfect conditions contributed to a day of quality golf with Craig MacGranthin crowned the eventual winner. Craig also won the nearest to the pin competition.

Stuart Moscrop, from local company PKA, was the competition’s runner-up, and he also came second in the nearest to the pin. Colin Mahon hit the longest drive.

The day ended with a presentation in the clubhouse with prizes handed out by St Mary’s Hospice fundraising manager Zoe Guest.

In total £1,960.40 was raised, with £500 going to Sue Ryder Care, and the remainder to St Mary’s Hospice.

Every 18 months BAE Systems nominates a partner charity for its Charity Challenge, when over that time it commits to raising funds for a particular organisation. Its current partner is St Mary’s Hospice and already the company is well on the way to raising another substantial amount.

Recently it has:
• Donated £17,500 to 25 separate local charities via its Give As You Earn scheme in which employees give a percentage of their monthly earnings.
• Supported more than 200 charities in various projects and initiatives.
• Backed national campaigns, such as Wear it Pink Day and Red Nose Day, raising thousands of pounds in the process.
•  The annual Keswick to Barrow Walk is organised with the help of BAE Systems employees and in 2008 raised more than £200,000 for charity.
•  Organised other events including quiz nights, golf competitions, bingo evenings, bag-packing and much more. The Charity Challenge team is continually looking for new fundraising ideas.

For more information on the latest charity events go to http://www.worklifebarrow.co.uk

A member of BAE Systems Submarine Solutions’ Corporate Responsibility team has scooped a top award at a prestigious ceremony.

Paula Short won the Graduate category in the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Profiting Through Skills – Excellence in Cumbria Awards 2009.

The 25-year-old Communications Advisor was presented with her prize by millionaire investor, and former star of TV’s Dragons’ Den, Richard Farleigh at the Rheged Centre, near Penrith.

Paula, who has worked at the Barrow site for 18 months, saw off stiff competition from two other candidates to land the award.

She said: “It was a surprise even to make the shortlist, so to actually win it given the standard of the other nominations was really pleasing.”

The awards, which were held on 14 May, celebrated the success of individuals and businesses who invest their time, money and effort into learning and development, benefiting both themselves and Cumbria’s economy.

Paula, who went to Chetwynde School and Barrow Sixth Form College before completing a BA (hons) degree in Marketing Management at Manchester Metropolitan Business School, is continuing to learn on the job.

As well as studying for a Diploma at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, she has also secured a workplace mentorship from the former leader of the Barrow Labour party, Terry Waiting, who now works as a Consultant for BAE Systems Submarine Solutions. Paula said: “I’m now able to pass on these new skills to the wider community as part of my role in the Corporate Responsibility team. It presents me with the opportunity to visit schools and colleges to explain what BAE Systems does, and hopefully help attract some of them to the business in the future.”  She was nominated for the award by Joe Sides, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions’ Corporate Responsibility Manager.
He said: “Paula has a very determined attitude which has made a huge difference towards the team she works within.”