Pictured above: (l-r) David Dingly (witness support manager), Sharon Studholme (court manager), Abby Marshall (EIC), John Harris (EIC), Alex Fearon (BAM Construction)

Employees of facilities management and building services provider EIC, have donated hundreds of pounds worth of toys and games to help create a better environment for children visiting Wolverhampton Combined Court. Staff at EIC's Alcester headquarters brought bears, board games and building blocks to work over the last few months, collecting more than 25 boxes of toys for the court's witness service, for use in the waiting rooms by child victims or those involved in criminal cases.

EIC is currently working on the electrical and mechanical upgrade of the Wolverhapmton Interchange, which neighbours the court, with main contractor BAM construction. The EIC team became involved with the toy donation following a recent visit to the court by contracts director, John Harris.

Together with EIC's charity coordinator Abigail Marshall, John handed over the donations to representatives from the court. He said: "Our contracting team is currently working at the Wolverhampton Interchange right next door to the court. We met with staff during a recent visit, who showed us the waiting room and explained how donations would really help to make a difference to the vulnerable youngsters involved in court proceedings.

"As soon as I sent an email round to staff asking for donations, the response was fantastic. Everyone has been really generous and enjoyed collecting toys for this very worthwhile cause."

Sharon Studholme, court manager at Wolverhampton Combined Court said the toys would not only be enjoyed but also played an important role in comforting children through, what could be, quite a stressful experience. She said: "It can be a difficult time for a lot of the children that come to court and many can be quite frightened by the formality of it all. These toys will really help to distract and entertain them and make our environment a more welcoming and less intimidating place."

This is the latest fundraising drive from EIC which, as a company, has a strong CSR ethos raising money for individual charities and volunteering time and resources for pro-bono projects.