Around 100 firms rallied together to help the Hospice of St Francis achieve its dream of a new purpose-built base.
The £6.4m centre in Shootersway, Berkhamsted, pictured top, welcomed its first patients last week.
But none of it would have been possible without the help of the business community.
Bricklayers HG Matthews helped slash costs with a generous gesture. The company, based in Chesham, gave one free brick in every five bought by the hospice.
BP helped knock tens of thousands of pounds off the hospice's outgoings when it generously kitted out the new offices with furniture.
Fundraising director Sarah Thompson said: "There are so many different ways that businesses have helped us.
"Wall coverings company Muraspec provided all the wallpaper free of charge. Some companies sent their employees to us to volunteer with things like setting up the garden. BP donated all our office furniture which was worth around £30,000. "Some businesses have pots of money they can grant us, others send their employees to us to volunteer.
Tring-based incentive company Grass Roots organised a huge fundraising gala that raised thousands of pounds.
"We really couldn't have done anything without the business community being involved and we are extremely grateful," added Sarah.
Berkhamsted's Ash Hairdressers also made a valuable donation.
Sarah said: "It is so important that patients feel a bit pampered. How you look can really affect how you feel, especially when you're poorly so we also really wanted a salon within the hospice. Asfi donated all the furniture, specialist sinks and shampoos we needed. We couldn't have done it without them."
She said: "Local businesses have helped us out in all kinds of ways.
"Now we're beginning to pull together all the names of people who donated. It is important to us that we log every person who has helped put a little brick in the hospice."
Gazette and HeraldExpress readers helped raise more than £375,000 towards the project through the papers' Dig Deep appeal campaign.
Some of the firms which gave time and help....
• Muraspec
• Dells
• H G Matthews
• County Interiors
• Sixten
• GE Healthcare
• Grass Roots
• John Lewis
• Aitchison Raffety
• Environ
• Skanska Cementation
• BP
• Jarvis Contracting
• Epson
• Kodak
• Huntleigh Healthcare
• Christopher Rowland Estate Agents
• David Doyle
• SpreadEx
• Rodwells
• Bondlink
• Ash Hairdressers
• BMWScothall
• Cameron Mckenna
• Christopher Rowland
• Allied Irish
• Bespoke Therapy
• Toni & Guy
• PS Grapics
• The Digital Office
• Eastwoods
• BUPA
• Napp Pharmaceuticals
• Ashridge Management College
• SA Law
• Pentangle Consulting Engineers
• Swinton Business
• Keer & Keer & Co
|
