Community partners spring into action for bulb planting day

Community partners spring into action for bulb planting day

21 November 2023

Our generous partners, representing Tishman Speyer, BNP Paribas, Vodafone and more, came together for our first ever corporate volunteering day, helping to add a splash of colour for hospital patients, visitors and staff.

The green-fingered helpers took on a variety of activities, led by garden designers Beth and Dario from Dario Pizzi Design, including mixing and sorting bulbs in planting groups, digging remaining holes, planting bulbs and putting the turf back in place ready to blossom.

Their fantastic efforts will help to improve the hospital’s overall appearance, providing a warm welcome for patients and visitors at Charing Cross.

“I had a ruptured brain aneurysm and the doctors here saved my life. I decided to volunteer today just to give something back, and my colleagues also joined to support me.”

Martyna, Business Development Specialist at Vodafone

Like many of those taking part, Martyna, a Business Development Specialist at Vodafone, has a personal connection to the hospital. “I was treated here in 2011 and 2022,” she said. “I had a ruptured brain aneurysm and the doctors here saved my life. I decided to volunteer today just to give something back, and my colleagues also joined to support me.

“The highlight for me was seeing how everyone came together to do this project. I think we worked really well together and I really enjoyed it!”

Anne Marie Verstraeten, Vice Chair of BNP Paribas whose generous donations made a big difference to our NHS heroes throughout the pandemic, said: “We as an institution have supported Charing Cross Hospital, and the Trust, over the last few years. We have grown quite fond of the hospital and the staff here, so we’re delighted to be able to add a burst of colour this coming spring!”

Beautifully bright and light, daffodils are the first perennial flowers to bloom after a long, cold winter, and will be the first flowers hospital visitors will see in the new year. Daffodil bulbs and refreshments were generously provided by CBRE, who also prepared the soil for the day.

Hayley Pannick, Director of Development at Imperial Health Charity, said: “Our corporate partners make a huge contribution to all our hospitals, and we’re delighted to see so many of them come along and get involved.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone for making the day such a big success, and we can’t wait to see the flowers in full bloom!”

A huge thank you to everyone at, BNP Paribas, CBRE, London Business School, Putney Rotary Club, Tishman Speyer, Visa, and Vodafone for taking part.

Inspired by this story? Contact fundraising@imperialcharity.org.uk to find out more about supporting our hospitals.