A team of NI Water volunteers recently supported the Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark, working on the shores of Strangford Lough at Delamont.

The Geopark spans a varied landscape of mountains, lowlands, lakes and dramatic glacial valleys in south-east Northern Ireland.

The activity formed part of NI Water's Cares Challenge, a corporate volunteering programme that has been running for over ten years and is among the largest schemes of its kind in the province.

To date, more than 1,850 colleagues have taken part in over 130 challenges, contributing upwards of 13,000 volunteering hours to support communities across Northern Ireland. In the latest project, volunteers from across the organisation helped the Geopark by planting trees.

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NI Water volunteer, Luba Tarane, commented: "The Mourne, Gullion, Strangford Geopark team were brilliant throughout the day. We all enjoyed planting trees, working together with other colleagues from NI Water and very much enjoyed learning about the local biodiversity."

The programme schedules activities each year for groups throughout Northern Ireland and is delivered in partnership with Business in the Community's NI Cares Programme. It identifies organisations and charities in the local community that need a helping hand with physical tasks such as gardening and painting.

Rose Kelly, Director of People and Learning, explained: "Our handy helpers have undertaken everything from gardening, painting and maintenance to environmental and fundraising days. It is often the extra support that these groups require to enhance their facilities, improve the lives of their members and operate their centres successfully.

"Volunteering has also proved to be a key part of our health and wellbeing toolkit. Our teams gain so much from the experience, not only by helping the community, but also having the chance to spend time with colleagues from around the business that they might not otherwise have a chance to meet."