Government minister launches new community partnership

Secretary of dtate for trade and industry and minister foreomen, the Rt. Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, has launched a new communitypartnership between transport services organisation Arriva plc andthe Leicester Racial Equality Council (LREC).

As one of the largest Racial Equality Councils in the country,LREC aims to promote equal opportunities in Leicester, and runs anumber of projects which target socially excluded groups.

As part of its partnership, Arriva is supporting a LREC projectwhich aims to provide opportunities for women and girls to takepart in sport.

Arriva has made an initial donation of £4,000 to supportthe 'Positive Images Project', which includes designing a series ofposters, leaflets and banners depicting positive images of sportingblack and ethnic minority women.

Arriva's chief executive Bob Davies said:

We are aware of LREC's valuable work and are verypleased to be launching this new communitypartnership.

We are very much a part of local communities across theUK and we seek to build sustainable relationships that are relevantto the Group's activities. The aim is to deliver best value for thecommunities we serve, whilst reinforcing their relationship withArriva.

Chief Executive of the LREC, Iris Lightfoote said:

The LREC welcomes this collaboration with Arriva, anestablished commercial international business. This partnershipwill enhance the promotion of racial minority positive images insports in the city of Leicester . The campaign will encourage moreof our local communities to take up sports and physical activitiesto maintain their health and well being.

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Notes to editors

The following digital photograph is available via e-mail fromArriva's corporate communications department.

Pictured from the left: ChandaChawhan, LREC volunteer, Iris Lightfoote, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MPand Bob Davies.