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Parkinson Students Welcome Donation of Benches

January 10, 2017

STUDENTS OF PARKINSON MEMORIAL SCHOOL were greeted with ten new benches for their recreation when they started the first day of the new school term.

Principals attached to local beverage manufacturer Banks Holdings Limited (BHL) were in constant contact with Principal of the school Ian Holder to ensure that the donation would be ready for the students’ return after the 2016 Christmas break. The donation forms part of BHL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme H.E.L.P. (Heritage, Environment, Learning and People) – a structured CSR effort which partners with and contributes to various sectors across Barbados. The donation to the Parkinson Memorial School was given under the Learning component of the initiative.

Speaking during the school’s General Assembly, BHL’s Manager, Corporate Affairs, Sophia Cambridge said she was immensely pleased to be able to make the presentation to the student body.

“This donation allows us to continue our school improvement grant programme and with it, we have been able to assist in beatifying the schools in our surrounding areas. Like other entities across Barbados, our budgets are limited but we are determined to do what we can to ensure that the communities across our island receive well deserved assistance,” she said.

She also encouraged the students to utilize the space well.

“As our neighbors, we wish to ensure that your environmental and educational surroundings are conducive to not only positive learning but meaningful recreation. Accompanying our donation of benches is also a plaque which serves to remind you to utilize the space to make great memories and form lasting friendships. We recognize that education is bigger than the classroom and encourage you to make these benches not simply a place of leisure, but also a place for deep reflection and healthy discussions among your peers.”

Grateful for the partnership with the corporate entity, Principal of the school, Ian Holder told members of the media that the benches will be put to great use especially during recess periods.

“At lunch time, some students would stand and eat or congregate under a tree and eat with their friends while standing. Before this donation, there was no place for them to sit and so these benches are a welcome gift and will certainly be utilized. We are pleased to be able to partner with a company like BHL and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Parkinson Memorial School is one of four schools which are recipients under BHL’s H.E.L.P. Programme. The other schools are Grantley Prescod Memorial Primary School, Vauxhall Primary School and Christ Church Foundation School.


CAP. 1: Students of the Parkinson Memorial School joined Manager, Corporate Affairs Sophia Cambridge of BHL and Principal Ian Holder in unveiling the official plaque to accompany the donation.