It’s Our World: Liverpool Victoria staff dig in to help Hollybank Trust

STAFF from Liverpool Victoria have been digging in to help a charity for young people with complex disabilities.

Nine workers from the insurance company, based at Folly Hall, have been helping improve the grounds of the Hollybank Trust, Mirfield.

The volunteers worked all of Friday hot temperatures to prepare ground next to the new children’s home, by raking over, removing rubble and stones and planting grass seeds.

Liverpool Victoria (LV) started a partnership with the charity, which provides accommodation and education for children and young adults with profound disabilities, last year.

The company has donated money to buy a sun sail, which is a large sun screen resembling the sails of a ship, for the patio at Orchard Court, the new children’s accommodation which opens later this month.

The kind-hearted company has also donated £1,000 towards the main site’s sensory gardens and has paid to re-cover the polytunnel which both children and adults use to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables for the gardens and vegetable patches.

Suzanne Barton, Hollybank Trust corporate partnerships fundraiser, said: “We have 23 acres of grounds here at Roe Head, in Mirfield, and the projects that LV is funding will improve the environment here for our residents which in turn will improve their quality of life.

“Due to their conditions and medication, many of our children and adults have light sensitivity so LV have paid for the large sun sails which will protect them from the sunlight on the patio of Orchard Court, but will still allow them to enjoy the view and breathe in the fresh air.

“We are so grateful to them for all their hard work and enthusiasm with all these projects which will make our residents’ lives even better well into the future.”

Peter Horton, LV Chief Operating Officer, said: “As one of Huddersfield’s larger employers we are always looking for ways to give back to the community and for local charities to support.

“Hollybank Trust is a great cause and we are happy to be able to improve the outside area of their new children’s home.”