Turner & Townsend's Birmingham office has kick-started their financial year with the announcement that the office has chosen Barnardos as the 2008-2009 Charity of the Year.

Construction and management specialists Turner & Townsend has joined forces with Birmingham-based construction partners Fitzpatrick, White Young Green and BBLB Architects to raise money for and to design and build a disabled children's playground based at Barnardo's Harris House project, in Moseley.

Barnardo's Harris House provides support to families who have disabled children with very specific needs and who require intensive care. Families are referred to Harris House by Birmingham Social Services when issues are identified that may significantly impact on the parenting capacity of children between the ages of 0-17 years.

Currently, Harris House offers professional advice and support as well as the use of a fully equipped sensory room and toy library facility.

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Each of the four companies has committed to raising enough money over the next twelve months to pay for a bespoke playground which meets the specific requirements of the disabled children who will access the new facilities at the Harris House site. It is anticipated that the playground will be built in the spring or summer of 2009; with the four companies engaging the rest of the construction community with a series of industry events, including a Birmingham based fundraiser for construction clients in September 2008.

Shereen Khan, Services Manager at Harris House, says: "We are delighted to be working with the construction industry. Harris House is integral to the Birmingham community. There are often a number of factors which prevent parents addressing the best interests of their disabled children, and also those of their non disabled siblings.

"Access to services such as the existing sensory room, and an additional facility of the playground mean that trained staff can help parents manage and improve the behaviour of their children, as well as giving families much needed advice and respite."

Bruce McAra, Managing Director at Turner & Townsend commented: "Turner & Townsend has a well established global Corporate Social Responsibility initiative which encourages our worldwide staff to support local charities via a tailored package of fundraising activities and company endorsed volunteering days.

"However, working in partnership with construction colleagues in Birmingham to deliver such a worthwhile facility is new to us, but certainly a welcome development."

(JM)