Nearly 100 volunteers took part in a Day of Service to commemorate September 11 in Battersea Park. The volunteers – from the U.S. Embassy in London, joined disabled gardeners and volunteers from Thrive, and Wandsworth Council, to restore the 'American Ground,’ a 19th century garden in need of upgrading and maintenance.
The annual Day of Service was inspired by President Obama’s 'United We Serve’ initiative, a call to volunteers to perform acts of good will on September 11. Such volunteer activities take place across the U.S. on and around September 11 each year.
The project, planned in conjunction with Thrive and Wandsworth Council, is the latest event in the Embassy’s ongoing volunteering programme to build bridges with the community. The project is close to the location of the new U.S. Embassy site in Nine Elms.
This is the Embassy’s second annual 9/11 Day of Service at the American Ground.
Wandsworth Mayor Jane Cooper lent her gardening skills to a tree planting during the day and the Council supported the event with the participation of its parks management and maintenance contractors, Fountains.
At the start of the event, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Barbara Stephenson said, "I don’t believe that victims’ families want us to just mourn – I believe that they want something better in memory of their loved ones. And, for me, there’s no better way to answer that call, to capture that spirit, than by helping restore this historic American Ground. …Those who attacked America sought to destroy. We are seeking to create and build – whether that’s a new garden here in the park, new friendships, or our new Embassy which will be just a short walk from here."
QVC, the UK’s leading television shopping channel, has been a friendly neighbour to the Thrive Battersea Garden Project since 2006 and has raised more than £40,000. Sadly, QVC moves to new studios later this year and we are sorry to see them go.
Claudine Shacklock, QVC’s Internal Communications and Community Affairs Manager, said the company had been delighted to support Thrive over the years and strengthen and increase the channel’s community-based activities. Susan Stuart, Battersea Garden Manager, said: "We cannot thank QVC enough for their generosity over the years, it really has made a difference to the work we do."