A DROITWICH Spa firm is extending its hand to the community through a series of exciting initiatives.

Exel Logistics, based on the Berry Hill Industrial Estate, has spent the last 12 months forging links with a host of schools, sports clubs and community groups.

Exel is a nationwide company with depots across the country, which transports goods for some of Britain's largest retailers such as Safeway, Harrods and Boots.

However, the company's ethos stretches much further than just the delivery of goods, with the aim of helping disadvantaged children reach their full potential. Nigel Hewlett, Exel's community liaison officer told the Advertiser all about the schemes they have initiated.

Westlands First School has benefited greatly from a strong link with company.

Exel will soon hand over a cheque for £1,000 to help the school build a new kitchen for cookery lessons. It is the second generous donation the school has received - the first being used to buy much needed audio equipment.

Festive projects at the school include putting on a professional pantomime and giving each child an extra Christmas present through a staff raffle.

"But it's not all about the money, it's what we can give back to the community," said Nigel. School trips have been organised by the company to Heath Green Farm and to the Exel site, as part of the students work on food production. "Some of the children had never been to a farm before and they really enjoyed it. "Next year we are planning to organise two farm trips," he added.

He explained the money handed over to the school had been raised by workers at the Droitwich site and then matched by the Exel Foundation at company headquarters. And Westlands First is quick to say thank you for the company's generosity with students' letters and artwork displayed in Exel's reception.

"We get a lot back from the school and it's nice because it lets our workers know where their money is going."

The Farmers Way school was also happy for Exel to use its fields for a fun day in aid of it's charity of the year National Children Homes (NCH).

Last year's charity was the Variety Club and more than £12,700 was raised to buy a new minibus. Sure Start on the Westlands estate has also established links with the firm, which has organised trips for youngsters to farms and country parks.

More money has been dished out to Droitwich Spa High School. Exel has also played an important part in student's career development programme, with management staff setting up mock interviews, work experience placements and visits to the site - which ships goods for Safeway. Other schools working with Exel in recent months include Chawson first, St Joseph's primary and St Peter's first and it has also given £500 to Droitwich Cricket Club to help buy equipment.

"I can't believe how far this has come in just a year," added Nigel. For further details on Exel call Nigel on 01905 794777.