Baxter UK continues its support for Horatio's Garden During a Sunny Volunteering Day
A group of employees from our UK head office and field- based team, came together to help support Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury prepare for their annual fundraising event. The team spent the day moving and labelling plants, cleaning out the water feature, general tidying of the garden and importantly spending time chatting with patients and other hospital volunteers in the garden.
Olivia Chapple, Chair of Trustees and mother of Horatio who the charity is named in memory of, said of Baxter’s efforts:
“We are so grateful for all the innovative fundraising that the Baxter UK team has initiated to support Horatio’s Garden – the ideas have been incredible and the fantastic amount you have raised is a testimony to the energy and enthusiasm which has come from everyone. Everything you have done has helped to bring the benefits of beautiful garden projects to more patients facing life changing spinal cord injuries. On behalf of everyone at the charity may I extend a huge thank you to your wonderful team.”
Horatio’s Garden is a charity that creates and lovingly cares for beautiful accessible gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. Leading garden designers develop stunning sanctuaries for patients and their family and friends, creating an environment which becomes an integral part of their lives and care whilst spending many months in hospital.
We are so grateful for all the innovative fundraising that the Baxter UK team has initiated to support Horatio’s Garden – the ideas have been incredible and the fantastic amount you have raised is a testimony to the energy and enthusiasm which has come from everyone. Everything you have done has helped to bring the benefits of beautiful garden projects to more patients facing life changing spinal cord injuries.
Olivia Chapple, Chair of Trustees and mother of Horatio who the charity is named in memory of
Rik, a current patient at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Injuries Unit in Salisbury, spent time talking to volunteers during the day. He had the following to say about the garden and our volunteer work:
“Horatio’s Garden is a haven where you can enjoy peace and tranquillity with your own thoughts whilst reflecting on your situation. The beautiful sights within the garden are complimented with the sounds of running water from the features and many different songs from the birds. Every day the garden is enjoyed by so many people, patients, family, friends and hospital staff, which is why the volunteer work that you do is so crucial.”
In March and April of this year teams also volunteered during mulching week in Salisbury and in the newly opened garden in Glasgow. Fundraising activity over the past 18 months has included holding a charity auction, special themed fundraising days and one employee has taken on a mission to raise as much money as possible for the charity at local car boot sales.
Stephen Hackett, Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden in Salisbury added:
“What a pleasure it has been to have Baxter volunteers working with us in the garden. Whether it was spreading 150 sacks of mushroom compost on the flower borders back in March, or moving more than 500 plants into the marquee for our Plant Sale more recently, the effort you have put in has been tremendous. We literally couldn’t have done those jobs without you - your willingness to pitch in with whatever needed doing has been inspiring. And you bring doughnuts with you. You’re all welcome back any time!”
To learn more about Horatio’s Garden click here.