Leatherhead (October 23, 2006) -- The Hundon Hawks football team can now train with renewed vigour thanks to the delivery of hundreds of pounds worth of new training equipment following a grant from energy giant ExxonMobil.

Colin Walters, an employee in the company’s Leatherhead office, has been volunteering his time to coach the under-13s football squads for many months and this has been recognised through the award of £500 in the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme (VIP).

Colin, who works in Lubricants and Specialties at ExxonMobil and volunteers as often as possible for the football club based in Hundon Village, said:" Youngsters come to the club to play football but they also get so much more from the experience. They gain self-confidence and playing inspires them to succeed at not just football but in life as a whole."

He added: "They learn discipline as it is needed in the game and over time they develop their social skills, which has benefits both on and off the pitch."

Since its beginnings as a small club five years ago, it has grown with Colin's help so that it now has four league sides and one friendly. Children under the age of eight play in one league and the under-13s take part in another. Valda Marks, club secretary, said: "The financial help from ExxonMobil has meant that our expansion over the last 18 months has been well catered for. Without ExxonMobil's support Hundon Hawks would not be able to allow as many youngsters as we have on our teams to enjoy football in a safe and fun environment."

Notes to editors
This VIP scheme recognises the efforts of employees and their families who volunteer their time, talent and energy to charities, schools and non-profit making organisations in the local community. To date, it has contributed over £100,000 to community projects in the three years it has been running. The scheme not only helps local organisations, but improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community.