While the Level Crossing Removal Authority were busy removing three level crossings and building stations at Pakenham and East Pakenham, the team has worked to give back to locals by forming a great relationship with Living & Learning Centre.
They have donated food, tree logs and most recently Christmas toys to the group, to help locals doing it tough.
Another initiative has seen 39 team members make a combined total of 70 blood donations, resulting in an estimated 210 lives saved – an amazing outcome.
The head of the Pakenham project’s ‘life-saving department’, senior project engineer Dinesh Martyn, was proud of how the team has given freely of their time and their blood.
“When my wife gave birth to our oldest child 11 years ago, the nurses hooked her up to a blood bag and I remember wondering who donated it and where it came from. I never acted on it, but at Pakenham I got a notification that a donation centre was nearby, and I thought it would be good to try and get our team involved in something for the community,” he said.
If you wish to donate blood, you can at the pop-up centre at Pakenham Library which is currently running from 15 to 26 January. It will open Monday to Thursday 12pm to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 8am to 3pm.
