Southampton Airport is putting safety first at the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre, based in Manor Farm Country Park, Bursledon. Visitors to the facility will now have the use of brand new buoyancy aids and safety helmets, which were donated by The BAA Communities Trust, BAA’s own charity.

The centre is designed for people with special needs to enjoy practical problem solving and team building activities. The new equipment from the airport will be used for climbing, rafting and on the zip-wire. In addition, the new buoyancy aids will be used for visitors taking part in canoeing, motor boating, and rafting activities on the River Hamble.

Phil Oates, Manager at the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre, said: “We’d like to thank Southampton Airport for their continued support of the Centre. It is great for us to be able to give people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in canoeing and climbing activities, and the donation will help us to do continue to do this safely.”

Debbie Chalk, Communications Executive at Southampton Airport, commented: “When we recently visited the QEII Centre, we heard that money which had been raised for essential safety equipment had been stolen. Therefore, we were only too happy to step in and help. The activities centre achieved remarkable results with the visitors, and it is inspiring to see the commitment and care provided by the centres dedicated staff and volunteers.”

Based in a 400 acre country park, the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre has been providing activity opportunities for people with special needs since its opening in 1978. In that time many thousands of people of all abilities have taken part in problem solving and team building activities. More information on the centre is available at qe2activitycentre.co.uk.

The donation has been given by the BAA Communities Trust, BAA’s own charity. The Trust was established over ten years ago, with the aim of putting something back into the local communities around BAA’s airports. Since then it has made grants of nearly £4 million to a range of good causes and community projects close to BAA’s airports.