Apprentices give back to charity that gave them life-changing holidays

Two apprentices at L.E.A.D. IT Services have spoken of their pride at being given time off to help at Derby Kids’ Camp after both enjoying camping holidays as children courtesy of the charity.

Ethan Edwards and Kayleigh Potter, who work at the Pride Park-based IT company, said they were honoured to be given leave through their work to help at the camp.

Apprentice field technician Ethan, 21, said he had started going to Derby Kids’ Camp aged six after spending his early years in foster care.

He said: “Kids’ Camp was a massive eye opener for me. Up until that point, I had never seen a sheep in a field or even been to a farm.

“Going there was my first ever official holiday. I can’t explain the impact it had on me.

“I remember some of the kids who came with me. It was an absolutely fantastic experience.”

Ethan has now been volunteering for the charity for the past seven years to help other children have the same fantastic times he did.

He is so passionate about the work of the charity and its impact on children that he has even had the charity’s logo and distinctive tents tattooed on his arm.

For more than 50 years Derby Kids’ Camp has been providing holidays in the Peak District for children who need a break.

They may be struggling with bereavement, family financial difficulties or a range of other issues.

L.E.A.D. IT Services’ managing director Lee Jepson is a charity trustee and Chris Edwards, who has recently joined the company as partnership development manager, is its president having volunteered for Kids’ Camp for 30 years.

Each year the camp is run by around 200 volunteers and L.E.A.D. IT Services sends a large team of staff to help build it, providing vital infrastructure such as IT and underground water pipes.

The company of around 70 staff also provides a team to help run a week of the camp itself, allowing staff volunteering time on top of their annual leave allowance.

As well as volunteering to help build the camp, Kayleigh has also helped out at YMCA Derbyshire, which hosts a monthly community meal funded and prepared by local businesses.

L.E.A.D. IT Services has been sending teams of staff to help provide the meals over the last few years.

Kayleigh said: “I think it’s good to put yourself out there and take part in volunteering – and that encourages other people to put themselves out there too.”

Chris said: “The Derby community is really special in the way that organisations support charities.

“L.E.A.D. IT Services is absolutely at the forefront of that. Allowing volunteering is brilliant for staff morale.

“We have got a great team coming on the Derby Kids’ Camp build this year in July.

“Having everybody in that field doing different jobs and supporting the charity is great. Derby Kids’ Camp can’t function without our essential volunteer team.”