NEWS FEED
Two Dorset businesses came to the aid of a unique hotel that offers holiday retreats for cancer patients and people with life threatening illnesses.
The Grove in Bournemouth is owned and operated by the Christchurch-based charity, Macmillan Caring Locally. It opened in 2011 and its 30 rooms are run on a not-for-profit basis. The hotel also welcomes carers, families and friends.
Earlier this year, work was completed on weeding and replanting flower beds in the hotel grounds following an appeal to local businesses. It led to The Grove winning a silver gilt award in the 2016 Bournemouth in Bloom competition.
But in the autumn, the hotel was faced with another dilemma: trying to dispose of nearly four tonnes of garden waste, including leaves.
Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions and Ferndown company Dorset Soils and Aggregates responded to the hotel’s appeal for help and arranged free collection and disposal of the waste.
Anita Rigler, volunteer coordinator for Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “We can’t thank Eco and Dorset Soils and Aggregates enough for coming to our aid.
“The more support we get from the business community, whether direct funding or ‘in kind’ like this, means we can use our precious funds on offering The Grove’s service for those with life threatening illnesses.”
Alison Brencher, office manager at Eco Sustainable Solutions, said the firm had provided The Grove with compost for its flower beds.
“It’s a fantastic cause and we’re only too happy to help,” she added.
In a separate development, The Grove has announced that the Bournemouth-based Ceuta Group has adopted the hotel as its Charity of the Year.
Ceuta is also funding a number of garden composters which will allow the hotel to recycle its garden waste in the future.
Volunteers are always welcome to help tending the garden at The Grove on a regular basis. Anyone interested, and who can spare a few hours helping with weeding and other garden tasks, is asked to contact Anita at anita.rigler@rbch.nhs.uk
