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An enthusiastic team of BCHT staff are revamping a garden at a local charity project in the space of three days as part of a community challenge.

The volunteers are busy working at the Gingerbread Housing Project at Barkerend doing weeding, cutting back shrubs, laying decking, painting fencing, planting flowers, and building a gazebo. They will also put up a children’s play centre and create a sand pit.

The Gingerbread project provides temporary accommodation for single parents and their families and the garden area stands next to a block of flats.

The challenge started on Thursday (13 Dec) and is BCHT’s second project as part of Bradford Cares, which aims to encourage staff from local businesses to give their time voluntarily to support local projects.

Team leader for the Gingerbread challenge, BCHT Sheltered Warden Mark Mitchell said: “We have at least 15 staff working on the garden make over which spans three days. Some are volunteering to help for a day and some for a few hours.

“Just like the Ground force team we have set ourselves the challenge of transforming the garden in a short space of time. Everyone is looking forward to creating an attractive fun open space that parents and children can enjoy.”

Geraldine Howley, BCHT Group Chief Executive said: “BCHT staff have really embraced the Bradford Cares employee volunteering scheme through team challenges and individual classroom help in local schools.

“Feedback from staff has been very positive in terms of developing new skills and making a positive difference in our communities. Supporting a local housing project such as the Gingerbread scheme demonstrates our values as a business with a strong social conscience.”

A number of local firms have kindly donated items to support the garden project. They are Forest Garden Products, Manningham Concrete, Naylor Myers builders merchants, Newey and Eyre, CR Taylor Timber, Uriah Woodhead and BCHT’s Bradford Building Services.

14/12/07