COMMUNITY projects have been given a boost by KPMG. More than 100 staff from the professional services firm took part in the company’s global Make a Difference Day.

Seven local projects benefited and included La Moye Chapel, Vale Church Hall and Lihou Island.

Staff were asked to nominate projects that were important to them, rather than one single cause.

‘As there wasn’t one project large enough for us all, it was decided that we would undertake a range of projects in smaller teams,’ said KPMG managing director Mark Thompson.

‘This was a perfect solution as it would have been impossible to choose which one we supported and it meant that staff could choose the project which appealed most to them.’

A team of 15 staff helped with the refurbishment of the former La Moye Chapel to transform it into the North Youth Centre.

Manager Clive de la Haye was impressed with the assistance KPMG had provided.

‘We were up against it to get everything ready in time for our opening day. The team from KPMG gave us a boost. It’s been superb and although we had a lot of fun, we also achieved a lot,’ said Mr de la Haye.

The final project of the year will see staff helping with a garden scheme at the Cheshire Home, with other ongoing individual volunteering activities also receiving support.

‘KMPG is proud to be part of Guernsey’s community and this is our way of supporting the many excellent projects and charities in the island.

‘We want our staff to see how rewarding voluntary work can be and we have encouraged them to get involved further by matching the time they give up out of the office. I’m very proud of the whole team and what we have achieved,’ said Mr Thompson.

‘Feedback from our staff has been really enthusiastic and I am looking forward to seeing what community challenges they can think of for us to get involved with next year.’