Less than three weeks after starring for England in their heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to New Zealand, rugby star Marlie Packer was back at work as she joined an army of volunteers renovating a community centre.
Plumber Marlie, who won her 50th cap during the World Cup in Ireland, joined the 100-strong team from home assistance provider HomeServe at the Foxton Centre, which supports a range of vulnerable people and communities in Preston, Lancashire.
The bathrooms and interior décor at the Knowsley Street site will be revamped over the course of seven days by engineers and office staff who answered the call, including HomeServe’s People. The work is all part of HomeServe’s ‘BuildServe’ project in which the company’s People ‘Dare to Care’ and volunteer to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.
HomeServe Brand Director John Greaves says: “It’s fantastic to have Marlie back working with us. We are all so proud of what she and the rest of the team achieved during the World Cup and it was just unfortunate that they came up against a very good New Zealand team in the final. She jumped at the chance to get involved in Preston and her skills will really prove valuable to the team on what is a very challenging project.”
The Foxton Centre is particularly important to the company as it is one of the sites served by the Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) – a charity, supported by HomeServe, which helps to feed, clothe and support city residents needing short-term support as well as homeless people in the region.
Marlie, who plays as a flanker for England, says: “It was a real honour to play for my country at another World Cup and it was heartbreaking to come so close to winning. I haven’t watched the final back yet but when I do, I’m sure I’ll realise that we achieved something special even if we didn’t win. But now my focus is back with HomeServe and when I heard about this project I jumped at the chance to come along and lend a hand. This kind of thing is what makes HomeServe such a special company to work for. We are able to go out into the community and make a difference to people’s lives.”
Foxton Centre Chief Executive Jeff Marsh comments: “The centre is in a bad state at the moment but this work will make such a difference to our ability to provide people’s basic needs and help get them back on their feet again. HomeServe has been a huge supporter of the work we do here and we’re so grateful. HomeServer staff have given their time and their possessions to help the people we work with and we can’t thank them enough.”
