Vigilant Global Extends Commitment to Community Support in South Thanet with Significant Donation to Sir Roger Manwood's School

SANDWICH, England, July 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Firm behind the Richborough Mast planning application to offer long-term community fund upon mast approval and construction 

MP for South Thanet welcomes generous contribution to local school 

Vigilant Global is pleased to announce funding for much-needed technical equipment for Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich. The school is receiving funding for a new sound system for the School Hall, which is the focal point for a range of academic and extra-curricular activities, and is regularly used by students, staff, parents and other visitors.  

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160711/388156 )

Sir Roger Manwood's School is the second recipient to benefit from Vigilant Global's Richborough Mast benefits programme for the local communities in the Richborough, Ash and Sandwich area.

Vigilant Global is fully committed to ensuring the Richborough Mast will meet the shared needs of a range of potential users and provide significant benefits to the local community. It is financing the capital costs of multiple projects as part of the community benefits programme, and has already provided funding for a communications system upgrade at Sandwich Technology School. Local MP Craig Mackinlay has welcomed the contributions being made to these important community assets.

The provision of the new sound system to Sir Roger Manwood's School and the communications system upgrade to Sandwich Technology School will go ahead regardless of the final decision by Dover District Council on the proposed Richborough Mast.  

The current funding activities are the first phase of Vigilant's plans for community engagement. A substantially larger second phase is due to be implemented following determination of the Richborough Mast application. Subject to consent being granted and the mast being built, the second phase would provide long-term community benefits, including but not limited to: a Community Fund which would generate well in excess of £1 million over the lifetime of the mast . This fund would be administered by a Board of local representatives and would make substantial financial contributions towards employment and training initiatives, heritage projects and other good causes. Additional elements of the community benefits programme include a £100,000 donation to English Heritage to improve the visitor experience at the Richborough Fort and further financial contributions to individual community groups.

Thomas Molloy, School Business Manager at Sir Roger Manwood's School, said:

"We are delighted to receive this generous contribution towards a new sound system for the School's Hall as part of the Richborough Mast community benefits programme.  The Hall plays an important role in our curricular and extra-curricular activities, as it's the main space in which we can bring people together, so this funding from Vigilant Global will make a real difference to staff, students, parents and visitors. 

"We hope this is the first of many ways in which we can work with Vigilant Global to the benefit of the whole Sir Roger Manwood's School community." 

Eric Bellerive, Director of Global Networks at Vigilant Global, said:

"Vigilant Global is committed to giving back to the communities we work in, and we have a long track record of supporting important local community groups. 

"We are delighted to be able to extend our support to Sir Roger Manwood's School, having already worked with Sandwich Technology School. We're looking forward to building a long term relationship with these schools, and with other schools and community groups in the local area." 

Craig Mackinlay, Member of Parliament for South Thanet, said:

"I warmly welcome Vigilant Global's generous donation to Sir Roger Manwood's School, as part of their stated commitment to contributing to the local community.  I have been in close contact with both of the companies that have submitted planning applications for masts in the constituency, and continue to encourage them to work together to deliver a proposal for a single mast that meets everyone's needs. I am very grateful for their efforts to date." 

Vigilant Global is continuing to engage with local groups who could benefit from the Richborough Mast community benefits programme. The firm continues to encourage other groups in the Richborough, Ash and Sandwich area to contact the team at info@richboroughmast.co.uk.

Press office: 0800-368-9749

SOURCE Vigilant Global