A CHARITY has received a massive boost after being an oil company's charity of the year for 2012.
The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation (QEF) for Disabled People, based in Leatherhead, has been given a donation of £9,211 from ExxonMobil UK.
The company's UK headquarters are based on Ermyn Way, Leatherhead and staff organised a series of fundraising events including raffles, collections of household items and quiz events to raise cash for the charity.
The QEF is one of the leading disability charities in the country working with people with physical and learning disabilities or acquired brain injuries.
John Chamberlain, director of marketing at the foundation, said: "Many disabled children and adults QEF work with come from Surrey and the South East, so the help received from ExxonMobil has really transformed the lives of local people.
"The funds raised will make a practical difference helping us purchase essential new equipment such as hoists, physiotherapy equipment and walking frames, as well as developing new residential accommodation at QEF independent living services.
"We are very grateful to everyone at ExxonMobil for all their support."
ExxonMobil staff also took part in a pedometer challenge, launched to celebrate the Olympics, and pitted different departments against each other to see which covered the most footsteps in their day-to-day activities.
Fiona Harness, who helped with the ExxonMobil fundraising effort said: "The Queen Elizabeth's Foundation offers such a valuable service.
"We were delighted when it was chosen by staff to be our adopted charity for the year. Supporting our local community is important to everyone at ExxonMobil, and participating has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for everybody."
As well as the fundraising, a team of employees also used their energy to help QEF's independent living service centre restore and improve their pond area for residents, create a seating area and construct a pergola.
These activities formed part of the firm's local volunteering initiative, which provides practical support to community projects.
