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Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Gets a Boost from Trainee ‘Squaddies’

Friday 9th February 2007

Hill McGlynn International staff members handing over the money raised to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit The Southampton Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has received a welcome boost from some would be soldiers of Southampton Construction Recruitment specialists Hill McGlynn & Associates and sister company Corporate Solutions.

As part of Hill McGlynn & Associates 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2006, all UK and overseas staff were set a challenge by Executive Chairman and founder, Stephen Hill, to raise a total of £30,000 by creative fundraising. Half of the money raised would be donated to the chosen national charity Cancer Research UK and the remaining monies raised would be donated to the local offices chosen charity.

The Southampton based Hill McGlynn International Division and Search and Selection division of Corporate Solutions came up with the novel idea of being trained as a soldier for the day. With help from the Army base and staff at Worthy Down, the 20 ‘new recruits’ were put through their paces from 6am with physical training, a 4 mile march with full kit, ‘bivvy bashing’ and a full assault course. Donations were made by the Hill McGlynn and Corporate Solutions clients to undertake and complete the day and who are more used to the respective staff finding the right staff to work for them on major construction projects rather than take part in a gruelling series of army training.

Sarah-Jane Light of Hill McGlynn who organised the Army Day for the staff said of the event: ‘To see a group of recruitment consultants who are more used to sitting in a comfortable office being run to almost exhaustion whilst being shouted at by Army PE staff was something that I and those who took part will never forget. It was an incredibly demanding day which everyone who took part really enjoyed and we hope that the money raised will help a local charity who provides such a crucial service to local children and their families.’

The Hill McGlynn and Corporate Solutions staff chose upon the PICU as their chosen local charity as many of the staff have children of their own and realise how important specialised units such as the one at Southampton General Hospital are to many families throughout the region.

The PICU treat approximately 700 critically ill children every year and take children from all over the South Coast region along with any British children from military bases throughout the world. The unit has a team of highly skilled medical staff who have an outstanding reputation for high levels of care.

The PICU is currently raising £100,000 for a Children’s Ambulance and the money raised by Hill McGlynn and Corporate Solutions staff will go towards their target.