An employee from an Essex express delivery giant has become the 2,000th person from his company to see first-hand how his colleagues' efforts have helped generate cash for children's charity Wooden Spoon.

Chris Wright, Operations Manager at TNT Document Services in Basildon was joined by fellow workers from TNT's site at Festival Leisure Park, Basildon at  PARC (Play and Resource Centre) in nearby Braintree as part of a groundbreaking initiative being championed by TNT and the Wooden Spoon called 'Seeing is Believing'.  They witnessed how the money the company generates is being used to enable youngsters to have fun at playtime.

TNT Express Services is the biggest single contributor to the Wooden Spoon, raising over £2.3 million in cash donations in the past eleven years. In turn, the Wooden Spoon provides funding for children's projects across the UK to support youngsters who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially.  Spoon - with the help of TNT - contributed £50,000 towards a new building featuring sensory equipment, including a voice responsive fan panel and heated water bed.

PARC was formed as a charity in 1997 by a small group of parents with special needs children to provide respite and mutual support for families in similar situations.

Georgina Rhymes, Business Development Manager said: "TNT and the Wooden Spoon have made a significant contribution to the well being of students at PARC, for which we are very grateful."

The group of five from TNT Basildon who visited PARC meant the number of employees attending a site visit has topped 2,000 since the 'Seeing is Believing' programme began in 2003. The scheme is designed to help further motivate staff and build even stronger ties between TNT and Wooden Spoon.
 
Chris said: "Meeting the staff and youngsters at PARC and seeing how our fundraising efforts are making a difference was a tremendously humbling experience. We were especially delighted that our group included the 2,000 visitor to a Spoon project we've help fund. "

Chairman of the Wooden Spoon Steuart (CORR) Howie said: "'Seeing is Believing' is a fantastic initiative that motivates all those taking part, but of course the real winners are the children who rely on the endeavours and generosity of the TNT Express Services workforce."