05 July 2010
Smiths News supports local charity
Employees from Smiths News PLC, which is based in Swindon, recently took some time out from the office to help a charity with a gardening project, at the Greathouse Cheshire home in Kington Langley, Chippenham.
A team of 12 people from Smiths News’s HR department set off bright and early on Thursday 25th June, to work on a garden for the residents of the home. The Greathouse is a Leonard Cheshire Disability residence and operates as a care home for disabled adults. As part of the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity the home is always grateful for willing volunteers to help them out. Smiths News recognises how important it is for businesses to give back to the community and to assist charities if they can, and were delighted to give their support.
The Smiths News team spent the whole day clearing a large wild area, which had become overgrown with brambles and weeds. Without this effort the home would have struggled to find a way of doing the job. The team also planted some flowers to brighten up the area for the residents to enjoy.
Now that the hard graft has been done the home will be able to use the cleared land to its best advantage – setting some of the area to lawn so the residents can sit out and using the rest to grow fruit and vegetables for use in the kitchen.
Dudley Hewitt , Volunteer Manager of the home, said: “It’s been fantastic to have the team from Smiths News here for the day. They’ve put a lot of effort in and we’re really pleased with the results. We always struggle to keep the grounds looking nice as they are cared for by volunteers, but after today they look really lovely with the planting done by the Smiths News team. We will also be able to extend our vegetable garden now that the wild area has been cleared of brambles. The grounds will look great for our ‘Jazz on the Lawns’ evening on the 24th July (tickets available at £7 from Greathouse 01249 750235). The residents are also delighted with the wooden bench that Smiths donated. Many of the residents are in wheelchairs, but having the bench means that their visitors are now also able to sit and enjoy the garden with them.”
Glenn Leech, HR Director at Smiths News, said: “The whole day here has been so productive. My team has really mucked in and worked hard to produce results. We’re always keen to give something back to the local community and I think today we’ve achieved that.”
Cathryn Petchey, one of the volunteers said: “I’m so pleased we went, the day was really satisfying – despite the bramble scratches! It’s great that we’ve made such a difference to those living at the home – and I can’t wait to hear how their fruit and veg production comes along.”