‘Tis the season of giving at NATS
NATS employees have embraced the true spirit of Christmas, coming together during the festive period to support a range of local charities and bring hope, kindness and practical help to those who need it most.
The annual Christmas toy appeal, with donation points set up across NATS’ two Hampshire sites – Swanwick and Whiteley – ran for two weeks in support of SCRATCH, the Southampton-based charity helping families in hardship. Thanks to the generosity of employees, more than 270 toys and gift items were donated, ensuring children and families in the local community could enjoy a brighter Christmas.
Claire Burton, who coordinates the SCRATCH toy appeal at NATS, said: “We are so grateful to everyone at NATS who contributed to the toy appeal. Thanks to these generous donations, children throughout our community will be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas, even in difficult circumstances.”
Colleagues from NATS and Mitie (facilities management partner), worked together to collect 150 advent calendars for Sophie’s Legacy and Hound Basics Food Bank, helping to bring small moments of joy to families facing food insecurity. Employees also donated a range of animal toys, bedding and food to support the work of RSPCA Stubbington Ark, ensuring animals in care were not forgotten this festive season.
These efforts build on NATS’ wider charitable partnerships across its Hampshire sites. At Whiteley, employees have been supporting the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA), while Swanwick has partnered with Sophie’s Legacy. Fundraising and awareness-raising activities included a raffle and Lego exhibition event which raised over £600 for HIOWAA, and the NATS Operations Training team competing in a 24-hour three peaks challenge in aid of Sophie’s Legacy, raising over £3,000.
The festive calendar also featured a hugely popular bake sale, raising over £1,000 for the local Air Ambulance, and the annual Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the Children, where employees donned festive knitwear to raise more than £400 for vulnerable children around the world. NATS’ Finance Operations team also collected and wrapped 80 boxes of chocolates to add to festive hampers for families in need with Hampshire Food Revolution.
At NATS’ Prestwick Centre, Mitie helped collect over 200 sweet and chocolate tins, selection boxes and candy canes for the South Ayrshire Foodbank. The donations were used to make Christmas treat bags by the foodbank and given to those in need.
The annual Christmas appeal was in support of the Micah Project – a charity in Troon that tackles poverty and supports the community and local schools. Employees donated everyday essentials, such as washing up liquid, nappies or shower gel, in an effort to reduce the worry and cost of practical items and post-Christmas necessities, so families can choose and provide a gift for their children. It was so successful, that the donation point is now a permanent fixture.
“The Micah Project does excellent work within our community, providing essential support across all of Ayrshire. We are proud to be involved with them,” said Alexander Laughlin, Micah Project volunteer from NATS.