Mall staff volunteer for gardening work at hospice

STAFF from intu Braehead have been working hard tidying up and planting shrubs and flowers in the gardens at a local hospice.
Along with workers from Cardwell Nurseries, they volunteered to spend a day working at St Vincent’s Hospice, in Johnstone.

The gardening was part of intu’s company-wide initiative encouraging staff to take the time from their work schedule to help support a local charity or community work.
Hospice Trust Fundraiser, Katrina Vine said: “We are extremely grateful to the team from intu Braehead and Cardwell Nurseries for their support.

“Our courtyard area was tired and overgrown and the difference the intu team has made to our courtyard and garden is immense. It now offers a tranquil and peaceful area.
“We rely on our volunteers to help in many different areas of the hospice, from housekeeping to maintenance, driving and patient care.

“The team helping with the garden and landscaping not only created a better environment for our patients and their families, it also saved us money, allowing vital funds to be directed to patient care.
“Each year we must raise £1.2 million to operate the hospice and offer valuable care to patients and their families in the Renfrewshire area. We could not achieve this without the support of our local business partners such as intu and Cardwell and our local community.”

Lydia Brown, community development manager at intu Braehead said: “Our staff volunteering to help good causes is one way we show that intu Braehead wants to play a positive role in our community.”

Drew Gallagher, managing director of Cardwell Nurseries, based in Gourock added: “A well kept garden can be a place where people can relax and find peace and quiet for a while.
“We hope everyone at St Vincent’s will enjoy their garden area we’ve helped create.”

If any local charities or community groups need help with tasks like landscaping, gardening, painting and decorating, or repairs to damaged property, they should email braehead.community@intu.co.ukor call Lydia Brown on 0141 885 1441.