In partnership with Employee Volunteering CiC, a not-for-profit organisation, we were joined by a group of 20 volunteers from Smiths Group, the engineering company, on 31st October keen to spruce up the front of Ashford Hospital ready for Community Day. As part of their corporate responsibility programme, Smiths Group spent the afternoon at Ashford Hospital weeding, filling 11 concrete planters with new sensory herbs and foliage, planting 300 daffodil bulbs, sweeping, and adding a lick of paint to some of the weathered benches. Notwithstanding the rain, we achieved a huge amount in one day. To top this off Smiths Group generously donated £2000 to Ashford Hospital.
Frank Ma of Smiths Group said: “It was our honour to support the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It was an energising session where our team contributed in a meaningful way to support the terrific work being done by the hospital every day.”
Smiths is a global company, focussed on smart engineering for over 170 years. Their group of volunteers came from various countries, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their support and generosity.
Sue Wales, Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals’ Head of Strategic Transformation, said: “The wonderful work that the Smiths team did on 31st October was done with great humour, heart and willingness, despite the pouring rain! We are so grateful to them, especially as many of them were from other countries and not just the UK office. This will make the outdoors look much more loved and encourage visitors, staff and patients to spend some time outside under the trees and admiring the planting and daffodils in springtime. THANKYOU!!”
