Hitchin based Ashe Construction has announced a partnership with local charity Happy Days Children’s Charity.

Following a recent staff survey, Ashe employees said they were keen for the company to support a children’s charity because much of its work involves building new schools and colleges.

With one of the UK’s leading children’s charities based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, right on Ashe’s doorstep, it seemed only natural that the company should approach Happy Days and ask if they’d like some support.

Business development director, Andrew Morris, who leads on social value at Ashe said: “We have a tight focus on providing social value in all our business activities and do what we can to make a positive impact in all the communities where we work. We are delighted to forge our new relationship with Happy Days. Our fundraising and volunteering efforts will benefit a local charity that does amazing work for children throughout the UK.”

Ashe specialises in constructing and refurbishing schools and colleges throughout the southeast of England. Most recently the company has started work on two contracts worth £30m to build The Valley School in Stevenage and Avanti Brook Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford, both of which will be carbon neutral in operation.

As part of Ashe’s social value programme, a survey went out to employees asking what type of charities the company could support. There was a resounding agreement that supporting a children’s charity was close to employee’s hearts. Members of staff will be given time off work to volunteer for the charity and other charities the business supports.

Set up by three mums in 1992, Happy Days Children’s Charity helps families and groups by organising and funding special days and holidays such as trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, sporting events and other educational and cultural activities for children in the UK living with mental, physical and emotional difficulties.

With help they are able to support almost 25,000 children with additional needs every year, removing barriers to give them a chance to get out, make new friends, develop new skills and build confidence in the face of adversity.

Ashe are kicking off their fundraising for Happy Days by organising a 5-A-side football tournament in March this year, full details of the event and information of how you can get involved will be shared by Ashe soon.

If you’d like to help Happy Days Children’s charity visit https://www.happydayscharity.org/