Supporting our local community

At British Gypsum, we believe in being a good neighbour to the people living near our sites. By donating materials, time, and funds to local causes, we help the people in our communities to lead happy, healthy lives.

Here are the fantastic causes we supported in and around Kirkby Thore last year.

Warcop Play Park

Creating an inclusive social space for local families

We helped Warcop Parish Council renovate a local play park to provide a safe, inclusive social space for local families. Our £2,000 donation went towards replacing old, tired play equipment with brand new swings, a rocking frog, a spinning saucer, and a large activity tower complete with two slides and a zip wire.

Warcop Parish Councillor Katie Hauser said: “The new playground is a great asset to the village and the local community. It’s now an amazing space where children and adults can meet and play safely. This project came at the perfect time to give our community a great boost after being affected by the Covid-19 lockdowns.”

Temple Sowerby Cricket Club pavilion

Upgrading

a cricket club’s community hub

Our products helped turn a dilapidated cricket club pavilion into a space the whole community can use. With the aid of Gyproc ThermaLine Plus thermal plasterboard, Temple Sowerby Cricket Club has doubled the size of its pavilion and built a comfortable, cost-efficient kitchen, changing area and social space.

The major renovation means the club can now host regular games, welcome more visitors, and open up the space to the local community. James Farmer, Chief Grant Team Leader at Temple Sowerby Cricket Club, said: “Following the pandemic, we saw a real drop in people playing the sport. I only hope our renovated facilities will encourage more people to play and get involved in local cricket, reigniting the passion in many.”

Carer Support Eden

Festive fun for carers in Cumbria

We were delighted to donate £2,000 to Carer Support Eden to help them improve the experience of unpaid carers. The funds went towards two lunches for adults and a young carers’ party, giving hundreds of carers across the Eden District some well-deserved time away from their day-to-day responsibilities.

Dani Leslie, Chief Officer at Carer Support Eden, said:

“We are so grateful to have received the donation from British Gypsum, who helped bring some festive cheer to what can often be a difficult time for many.”

Fellrunner

Enabling access to vital amenities

After donating £5,000 to the Fellrunner bus service in 2021 and seeing the positive effect on the local community, we contributed a further £2,000 in 2022.

The community bus serves people across rural parts of Cumbria, offering routes to Penrith and Carlisle. Not only does it help vulnerable people with limited transport to access vital amenities, but it provides them with crucial connections and companionship.

Kevin McGilloway, Fellrunner Chairman, said:

“For many of our customers, the bus is their transport lifeline, allowing them to get into town to shop, collect prescriptions, get money and keep appointments. Without the bus they would be stuck and reliant on family and friends - if they have them. Without financial help from a group of supporters like British Gypsum, we would not be able to continue our services.”

Apply for support today

Do you know of a worthy cause or community project near our Kirkby Thore site? Click here to find out more about the eligibility criteria and apply for charitable support today.

we’re helping our local community thrive

We’re committed to having a positive impact on our neighbours, and we’re proud to have been an important part of the community in and around Kirkby Thore since 1910. We’ve been providing our time, materials and support to community projects and charities that help local people flourish.

We care about building better.

Bernard Wood

I joined the Lions Club Organisation on 10th November 1992 after my employment transferred from London to Warwickshire. My introduction to join Stour Valley Lions in Shipston on Stour was by the then President, Sid Payne. I served as President on two occasions and one term as Zone Chairman.

In September 2004, after retiring to Penrith I transferred to Lions Club of Penrith where I again served as Club President on two occasions.

I am a member the Club’s Talking Newspaper team, providing recorded items from the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald to local people and some who have moved away.

I am proud to be a member of our local organisation helping people who are less fortunate than others.

Have a great May Day.

Mike Parker

Joined Penrith Lions Club in January 2017.

Over a number of years I noticed all the good work and support that Lions gave to the people of Penrith and The Eden Valley. I was approached to consider joining and had no hesitation in doing so.

Over the past 6 years it has been a pleasure to serve with the Lions and fully appreciate the work they carry not only locally but the support for International Disasters. Positions held.

Welfare Chairman

Lionistic Year. 2018/2019,2022/2023 President. 2019/2020

Vice President. 2018/2019

A Poem, read by Brian Gardiner President 1995-96

Ode to Lions

It was in 1917 that Lions International began

An organisation open to any gentleman

To class, race, colour there was paid no heed

Just the desire to serve others was the only need.

The aim is to help others throughout the world

And at regular meetings new challenges are unfurled

To help those in poverty, lonely or sick

Give Lions a call and we’ll respond in a tick

Help with community projects in city and town

Those who call on the Lions are never let down

We will help with the crowds with parking and such

In sun, hail, wind, snow without complaining too much!

Besides raising money and getting things done

We find that being in Lions can really be quite fun

We know how to party of that there’s no doubt

For after all that’s what life’s about

But as Lions men try to carry out each plan

You will often find there’s a woman behind every man

We’re proud to be Lions we enjoy what we do

Sharing time spent together with friend old and new

Now ladies and gentleman I’ve run out of time

I hope you’ve enjoyed my silly little rhyme!