A heart-warming winter's tale

It’s a predicament that staff at Thrive London have had to contend with as their ageing system has spluttered along like an old jalopy heading for the scrap yard.

But now, with winter looming, there’s good news that’s left staff rubbing their hands with glee, rather than just to keep warm.

Property company Redevco has generously donated over half the money needed to pay the five-figure bill for a new heating system.

'Redevco is delighted to provide this support,' said the company's Gemma Barklie. 'We were keen to help in this practical way so Thrive staff can continue to deliver much-needed therapeutic horticulture services to client gardeners in London as the weather gets colder.

'As a business focussed on property, we appreciate the importance of a good working environment and are pleased we can help Thrive improve its office space as winter approaches.

'We were particularly eager to assist in any way we could as we had the pleasure of volunteering for Thrive this time last year. During our day spent at the garden we were shown how important the facility is for their clients.'

Unreliable

Kathryn Rossiter, Thrive CEO, said: 'We're very grateful to Redevco for helping us replace our ageing heating system, which was becoming increasingly unreliable and costly to repair.

'This generous donation is very timely and will help ensure we can continue to operate effectively through the winter months and maintain our focus on delivering the Social and Therapeutic Horticulture programmes that our client gardeners need.'

The donation has gone a long way to helping us hit our fundraising target for new heating and if you'd like to help us reach it, you can make a donation here.

And that’s not all the much-needed financial help we’re very grateful for.

Vulnerable

London property company Great Portland Estates donated to us from its Covid-19 Community Fund to support our work with vulnerable people.

The fund is supported by staff across the business, including senior managers and the board, and seeks to help those who have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic.

Becs Baumber, Thrive London’s Regional Centre Manager, said: ‘It’s fantastic to receive this donation from Great Portland Estates which will support all our valuable programmes across the gardens in Battersea Park.’