"May I say how wonderfully delighted I am with the beautiful work you and your team completed in the Waterside Garden for us last week. All of the guests, volunteers and staff were over the moon with the completed works and several guests have already enjoyed a BBQ in the gardens over the weekend, thanks to Zurich’s tremendous efforts." Craig Rees, Centre Manager of Vitalise Netley & the team
It all began in April 2008, when the 25 strong Management Information team drawn from Zurich offices in Fareham, Cheltenham and Farnborough took on a challenge to create a sensory garden for the charity ‘Vitalise’, which provides respite holidays for people with disabilities.
It ended up being one of the largest charity challenges a Zurich team has taken on.
The first year saw the team of volunteers draining a pond and creating a herb garden, which was a tough physical test for all involved. Different obstacles lay ahead in the form of major re-landscaping and fundraising activities. The former pond area then needed major ground works. Although the team quite liked the idea of having fun with mini diggers, the safety of the users was foremost in their minds therefore help was sought from garden professionals.
The whole of 2009 and the first half of 2010 was then spent raising enough funds to do the job properly. Through cake bakes to sponsored walks, the volunteers raised an impressive £11,000 (including matching and a £1,000 grant to help with the landscaping work).
The team concede it was very hard work, but enjoyed an overwhelming sense of achievement when it was finally finished in July this year. A relaxing open space to enjoy is important for everyone, especially for Vitalise whose new sensory garden will help improve the quality of their guests' and residents' lives.
The garden was officially opened on Friday 13 August 2010.
"We are all delighted with the finished gardens and cannot demonstrate our gratitude enough. May I also add a great big thank you for the gorgeous cakes that you served up for us at the Tea Party, despite the clement weather, the cakes kept everyone cheerful and happy, the event was appreciated by all. Best wishes and a big thank you." Craig Rees, Centre Manager of Vitalise Netley & the team
"It really was a wonderful occasion to see the Waterside Garden, now in it's full glory, be officially opened. It's always one of the most satisfying aspects of our job to see what has become of what is often a barren piece of land when we go and vet these projects for Challenge. Teams right across the UK never cease to amaze us but what deserves extra special mention is how the team has stuck with such a monumental task over such a long period of time - it really is true dedication with the end result looking superb". Steve Grimmett, Zurich Cares UK Manager
