Community and Social Issues

Through a range of local, national and international initiatives, Finmeccanica in the UK is fully committed to supporting and building relationships with local communities.

Whether in benevolent activities like charity fundraising, supporting projects in the local neighbourhood, or raising awareness of engineering in community education, Finmeccanica encourages its employees to become personally involved and forge strong links.

Individual operating companies undertake specific charity initiatives. For example, SELEX Galileo’s charity committees based at each site select a different charity nominated by employees for their fundraising efforts, and SELEX Communications recently funded support for local youth cadet groups.

Charitable Donations Fund supports local community efforts

In addition to support for charitable events at a corporate level, SELEX Systems Integration and VEGA Consulting Services also operate a Charitable Donations Fund which is aimed at supporting members of staff in charitable endeavours in their local communities. Typically taking the form of equipment donation, match-funding or sponsorship of staff activities, recent initiatives have included sponsored walks, runs, swims, bike-rides, sailing, mountain climbs, and local school and youth group projects.

SELEX Galileo employees make greatest single donation to children’s charity

SELEX Galileo employees in Edinburgh were presented with a plaque from Forth One Radio Station in recognition of the fact that they donated the single greatest sum of money ever received by the Cash for Kids charity of £32,074. Cash for Kids provides vital support and assistance to local disadvantaged children through a range of long-term initiatives.

In addition to the money raised at this annual charity event, Edinburgh employees carry out charity activities throughout the year for their nominated charity, the Sick Kids Hospital. Each of the site’s Charity Committees select a chosen charity nominated by employees on either an annual or bi-yearly basis, as the main focusfor their fundraising activities.

SELEX Elsag supports local community responders

Employees at SELEX Elsag (through their representatives on the Company’s employee forum) decide which cause to support. Those at the Christchurch site awarded £2,000 to local organisation Bransgore Community Responders.

Community First Responders are unpaid volunteers who give their time freely to help save lives in their community. The Bransgore team is trained by South Central Ambulance Service in basic life support, the use of AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and the treatment and control of a wide range of potentially life threatening conditions. The defibrillator is a key piece of equipment used when attending someone who has suffered cardiac arrest, and the award from SELEX Elsag enabled the Responders to replace an old defibrillator with one of the latest pieces of equipment.

SELEX Galileo offers inspiration to local disadvantaged children

SELEX Galileo has supported and provided vital resources to the Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) for the last two years. PYCP seeks to provide education and support to underprivileged children in the local area. SELEX Galileo employees have responded to their most vital needs by providing a library of children’s books and bookcase; a cooker for the charity’s kitchen and Easter Eggs.

SELEX Galileo helps Royston primary school

SELEX Galileo employees in Edinburgh have built strong ties with Royston Primary School, which is located just a few minutes away from the site. More than £2,000 was raised to create an eco-garden in the playground that enables the children both to learn about cultivating fruit and vegetables, and also help them develop an awareness of healthy eating.

The school has additionally been provided with a laptop, surplus furniture, a much-needed annual day trip, and pupils are also invited to sing at SELEX Galileo’s annual Christmas event.