How EGL2 is supporting communities during the festive period
For the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project, supporting communities and leaving a positive lasting legacy is at the heart of our work. This festive season, we are continuing to support communities alongside our contractor partners, to help those in need.
Fionán Doonan, Project Director for EGL2 said:
The festive period is often seen as a time of celebration and reflection for the year we’re leaving behind us, spending time with family and friends, as well as sharing gifts with those close to us. However, this is not the case for everyone in the community and EGL2 is aiming to support as many people as we can during this time.
We are committed to supporting local causes across Aberdeenshire and Yorkshire year-round and are looking forward to supporting more organisations in 2026 and beyond. We want to thank the organisations we have worked with alongside our contractor partners this festive season.
In Aberdeenshire
Alongside our contractor partner BAM, we have been supporting Buchan Giving Tree, which is a charity in the heart of Peterhead that supports families and individuals in need with household items, clothing and everyday supplies. BAM and its wider supply chain proudly supported the Buchan Giving Tree’s annual Christmas appeal by donating 88 gift bags and nine vouchers, with a total value of approximately £2,500. These contributions will help individuals and families during the festive season.
We also connected with Aberdeenshire North Foodbank on its 2025 Christmas Appeal, during which more than 400 food parcels will be distributed in the lead up to Christmas day for local people and families facing hardship. We have donated food to the appeals to support this vital campaign.
In November, members of the EGL2 project team and our contractor partner Prysmian gathered in Glasgow to wrap presents for the Blackhills Nature Reserve Volunteers’ Winter Wonderland fundraiser, which took place on 5-6 December. For the day, the team traded hard hats for elf hats as they helped wrap 500 gifts for local children.
The Blackhills volunteers are a small community group restoring 49 acres of woodland, meadow, and grassland just a five-minute drive from the EGL2 landfall site at Sandford Bay.
Giuseppe Cardamone, Project Director for Prysmian said:
Prysmian is pleased to support the Blackhills Nature Reserve Winter Wonderland event as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering local benefits through the Eastern Green Link 2 project.
We’re proud to contribute to the work they do for local people, local biodiversity, and the wider environment. We hope the event was a great success for everyone involved.
In Yorkshire
As Christmas approaches, EGL2 and our principal contractor BAM, along with their network of on-site suppliers, have already raised nearly £3,000 for the KidsOut Giving Tree Appeal and are busy donating winter coats and clothing to the Leeds Winter Coat Appeal. Several BAM staff have also volunteered their time to help sort and package clothing at the charity’s Leeds depot.
The KidsOut Giving Tree Appeal is a fantastic initiative designed to bring joy to disadvantaged children who might otherwise receive little or nothing during the festive season. Staff have been buying toys based on a Christmas gift list created by children who are most in need. KidsOut charity will be distributing the gifts in the days before Christmas.
Staff at our Wren Hall Converter Station site have also designed a team jacket, which promotes two charities close to the hearts of many on site. Every jacket sold will include a donation to Selby Hands of Hope and Winston’s Wish. Selby Hands of Hope is a well-known local charity based just a few miles from Drax, providing practical help to people in the Selby District who are facing financial hardship or crisis. Winston’s Wish is a national charity offering bereavement support for children and young people. The site team aims to donate nearly £1,000 to the chosen charities while also helping to raise awareness of the vital services they provide.
Nichola Taylor, Senior Office Manager for BAM at EGL2’s Wren Hall Converter Station said:
BAM staff are always keen to take time away from their day jobs to volunteer and support local community projects.
Many of our team also recognise how much charities rely on donations and are willing to contribute their own money to good causes. It gives us great pride to help others, especially at this time of year.
The Balfour Beatty project team has also been supporting local community initiatives this festive season, by donating over £250 to support Age UK’s Christmas Shoebox appeal for the Hull and East Yorkshire branch. The team wrapped and filled 34 shoeboxes with biscuits, sweets, tea/coffee, handwarmers and two Christmas gifts. A Christmas card was also included in every box.
