IN BRIEF
ELLIE-LOU SMASHES
FUNDRAISING TARGET
FOR CHESTER ZOO
VAN MAKEOVER PUTS
WIRRAL SCIENTIST CHLOE
ON ROAD(S) TO FAME
It might not be the cover of Vogue, but a company’s
stunning new vehicle livery could soon turn a Wirral
scientist into one of the most recognised faces on the
roads of the North West.
Apprentice scientist Chloe Briggs, 19, from Bromborough, is among
a handful of United Utilities staff chosen to ‘star’ in the £11 million
makeover of the company fleet.
When Ellie-Lou from Wirral heard that Chester Zoo was
in trouble as we came to the end of lockdown, she decided
straight away that she wanted to help.
The 8-year-old did some research with her mum and found that it
was the Zoo’s 89th birthday on 10th June. So, Ellie-Lou set herself the
challenge of walking 89 miles (one for each year) to raise money to
support the 35,000 animals it cares for during the Covid-19 crisis. Her
reason? She said the animals still needed food and they wouldn’t be
able to have many visitors because of social distancing.
Her target was to reach £890. Mum Alison said:
“She has done amazingly well and I’m so proud of her! I initially tried
to talk her into a more reasonable target of £200 thinking it would be
too hard on her, but she said she wanted a high target so she can help
more animals! She’s made me eat my words as she’s smashed it!”
So far, Ellie-Lou has raised £925 for Chester Zoo which thankfully, is
now open again although a number of measures are in place to keep
everyone safe.
If you would like to support Ellie-Lou go to: https://www.justgiving.
com/fundraising/alison-braithwaite6
The first 264 vans will take to the roads in the next few weeks, and will
be seen by hundreds of thousands of people every week.
Chloe, a first year apprentice who works in the company’s water testing
laboratory in Warrington, said: “I was amazed to get the chance to
represent the company on the vans and was so happy when they asked
me. I love working for United Utilities. The people are lovely and I
would definitely recommend the apprenticeship.”
Lou Beardmore, the water company’s customer services director
said company vans were a great way to communicate with customers
about things they found important, like local job opportunities and
innovation.
“You might not think it, but advertising on our own vans is an
amazing way to connect with our customers, and attract future staff.
We reckon that one of our vans is spotted by nearly two thirds of
people in the North West every day. So, by the time our entire fleet
is replaced, people like Chloe will be quite a familiar sight. We’re so
grateful to her for loaning us her image. She’s a great ambassador for
our apprenticeship programme. Investing in future skills to keep the
North West flowing is hugely important for us so the more people
who know about the opportunities we offer, the better.”
For more information about working for United Utilities, including
apprenticeships, visit https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/
careers/
6 wirrallife.com