Third Phase of the "GSK ile Ataklar" Project Completed

GSK Türkiye completed the third phase of the "GSK Strikes" project, implemented in collaboration with Community Volunteers Foundation (TOG). The final phase of the project, held on World Street Animals Day, provided food and shelter support to a total of 1,000 street animals across 3 different provinces in Turkey. GSK Türkiye aims to increase sustainability awareness among GSK employees and the public through the "GSK Strikes" project launched in collaboration with TOG within the framework of its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policies. Within the scope of GSK Strikes, activities targeting practical approaches to low sustainability awareness frequently encountered in Turkey's major cities were carried out in 3 different provinces: Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. Launched during Turkey's Environment Week on 1-7 June, the GSK Strikes project first created a sculpture from waste collected over one month within the company to draw attention to increasing environmental pollution and uncontrolled plastic waste use. During the same week on 5 June, World Environment Day, waste collection events organized with Community Volunteer youth collected a total of 400 kilograms of waste. Along with bread, food and organic waste, the collected plastic, glass, metal and paper waste helped save greenhouse gases and energy, while collected cigarette butts prevented water pollution. The final phase of the project, held on 4 October World Street Animals Day, aimed to draw attention to street animals. With support from Silivri Animal Care Association in Istanbul, Projects for Animals Association in Izmir, and Hopeful Paws Association in Ankara, a total of 1,000 street animals received 2,000 kilograms of food assistance. Additionally, GSK employees, Community Volunteers and supporting associations involved in shelter cleaning and repair activities in the 3 major cities provided material and moral support to street animals. [caption id="attachment_147827" align="aligncenter"] GSK Türkiye Communications and Patient Relations Leader Selcen Çökdü[/caption]

GSK Türkiye Communications and Patient Relations Leader Selcen Çökdü made the following statement on the subject:

"In the final phase of our 'GSK Strikes' project, which we brought to life by joining forces with TOG, a valued partner of our corporate social responsibility projects, we wanted to support street animals and raise awareness on this issue. As GSK Türkiye, we are pleased to complete this project, which reflects the importance we attach to environmental and sustainability issues, by supporting street animals and helping our homeless companions feel that they are not alone. We extend our gratitude to all GSK employees who contributed to the project, especially our project partner TOG, the Community Volunteer youth, and all citizens who supported us."  

TOG General Manager Ayşe Kırımlı expressed the satisfaction of successfully completing the final phase of the GSK Strikes project as follows:

"We have been continuing for 20 years the projects we call TOG STRIKE, which Community Volunteer youth from different cities in Turkey implement by coming together around a common purpose. We are deeply pleased to implement a STRIKE project this year in collaboration with GSK Türkiye. We launched our projects to create a cleaner nature and a sustainable world for everyone and to instill animal welfare awareness in society, and concluded them on 4 October World Street Animals Day by supporting street animals. As TOG, we hope that various efforts to increase environmental awareness and sensitivity towards street animals in Turkey will continue. I sincerely thank all Community Volunteers and GSK Türkiye employees who contributed to our project."