Volunteers from the private equity industry add finishing touches to community centre in Newham

On 10 October 2008, over 80 volunteers from the private equity industry assembled in Newham, one of the most deprived boroughs in London, to add the finishing touches to a new community centre they helped fund through the Private Equity Foundation (PEF). The day of community involvement culminated in a visit from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who officially opened the Rokeby Community Links Centre.

Volunteers from firms such as Apax Partners Worldwide LLP, Bain Capital, Cinven Limited, Doughty Hanson & Co. Ltd, Ernst & Young, GSC Group, Intermediate Capital Group PLC, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, Permira Advisers LLP, Silver Lake, Summit Partners, TPG Capital LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges rolled up their sleeves to get involved in tasks ranging from gardening and painting to building a challenge course and play house. They worked alongside some of the facility's young beneficiaries, as well as representatives from Community Links, PEF's partner charity in the venture. Thank you also to Private Equity Recruitment who sponsored the sweatshirts keeping every one warm throughout the day

The Rokeby Community Links Centre will transform opportunities for young people in an area in which child poverty rates are at 55 per cent and unemployment is double the national average. Local residents have long requested clubs and activities for their children and now they have a safe place to play. It will also give Community Links a permanent base to deliver crucial services such as after school and into work clubs, evening youth groups and daytime activities for parents, carers and toddlers. Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "It is fantastic to see the members of the Private Equity Foundation not only fund but get actively involved in such an important project which is, after all, just a stone's throw from the City. Their partnership with Community Links is a great example of how business and communities can work together to create a really valuable resource for local people and I'm honoured to pronounce the Rokeby Community Links Centre open."

Stephen Peel, Vice-Chairman of the Private Equity Foundation, said: "In addition to funding, the Private Equity Foundation also specialises in bringing pro bono support to the charities it supports, usually in the form of advice on finance and business management. This time, however, we were presented with a 'hands on' opportunity to participate in the completion of the Rokeby Community Links Centre and we welcomed the challenge.

"It has been particularly inspiring to work side by side with some of the young people to whom this facility will make such an enormous difference. We hope that it, together with Community Links' superb services, will help them discover and achieve their full potential." Kevin Jenkins, Co-founder of Community Links, said: "Community Links deeply appreciates the Private Equity Foundation's involvement in building this long lasting facility for youngsters in Newham. Every child can succeed if given the opportunity and we hope that the Rokeby Community Links Centre will play an important part in providing that opportunity for generations to come."

The Rokeby Community Links Centre will be open to the public in early November 2008.

For further information please contact Rosie Davey at rosie@privateequityfoundation.org or call 020 7749 5129 / 07827 804066