A TEAM of dedicated professionals have transformed the gardens of a North-East hospice as a way of giving back to their local area.

Volunteers from Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies, Essity, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Humble & Clark Legal, and 2 Pure spent a week at Butterwick Hospice Care, in Stockton, revitalising patients’ gardens.

Will Clark, area manager for Bunzl, said: “With COVID and everything that's gone on in the last few years, a lot of places like Butterwick have struggled. Our businesses all have links to the hospice, and so we just wanted to give a bit back.

“We get days off to use for volunteering, and we knew the gardens could use a bit of tidy-up, so we decided to make this our project, and work with the Butterwick team to make a small difference.

“Seeing the hospice’s work – especially the support offered to children – was really quite hard-hitting for a lot of us, so choosing to support Butterwick was just a no-brainer. It’s a really fantastic place.”

The team of volunteers made-over the private gardens that connect to the hospice’s individual inpatient bedrooms, which allow people staying at the hospice to easily access and enjoy the outdoors.

In addition, a reflection garden has been created for the families who are visiting the Sunflower Room, who now have an outdoor area for private reflection.

The companies collectively also purchased lighting, plants, decorative features, a lawnmower, and various tools needed for the work, all of which have been donated to the hospice for future use.

Estates and Facilities Manager, Anneline Dowell, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to these 12 hard-working volunteers for their fantastic efforts to keep our wonderful hospice looking fresh, welcoming, and beautiful.

“The interior reflection garden between the children’s unit and IPU, which has been created for families to use, will make a real difference to all for the privacy and tranquillity it offers; on behalf of everyone here, I want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to all the businesses and volunteers who have made this happen.

“The support we receive from our corporate partners and the wider business community is crucial to the future of Butterwick Hospice Care – we couldn’t provide our desperately-needed services without their help.”