Local food banks and Broomfield Hospital’s children’s ward receive Christmas boost from local housebuilder
22 Dec 2020
Award winning Vistry Eastern, part of Vistry Group, which brings together Linden Homes and Bovis Homes, has brought some festive cheer to Chelmsford where its regional head office is based and nearby Brentwood with donations to the Phoenix Children’s Ward at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford Foodbank and Brentwood Foodbank. For the seventh year running, staff at its Eastern regional headquarters made donations for the local hospital’s annual Christmas gift appeal. Unlike in previous years, when gifts were donated and delivered to the hospital, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, this year Vistry Eastern created a ‘Give a Gift’ page where its employees could make a monetary contribution online. All donations helped the staff at the hospital buy plenty of gifts in the hope of brightening up the Christmases of the children that will unfortunately be spending Christmas in hospital. Lead play specialist from the Phoenix Children’s Ward at Mid Essex Hospital’s Trust, Sue Hursit, said: “We are having to do things differently this year, but Broomfield Hospital is delighted that Vistry Eastern has given its support to the children of Phoenix Ward once again over the Christmas period. We are thrilled with the donations which make such a difference. Our priority at Broomfield is delivering the best possible care, but it is imperative that our children’s ward also provides appropriate fun and entertainment in what can be a very emotional and stressful time for children and their families, particularly during the pandemic.” With new research from the Trussell Trust showing that the pandemic is forcing more and more people, particularly families with children, to turn to Foodbanks, Vistry Eastern has also given its support to the local Trussell Trust Chelmsford area and Brentwood area Foodbanks. Vistry Eastern has donated £500 to the Chelmsford branch to enable them to continue to support those in need both through Christmas and into the New Year. The housebuilder’s Eastern office team also ran a much-needed food collection amongst staff at their Chelmsford head office to support the Brentwood branch this Christmas. Robert Church, managing director at Vistry Eastern, commented: "For the seventh year running, we at Vistry Eastern were pleased to pledge our support to the Phoenix Children's Ward at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Although we have had to pledge our support in a different way with contributions being used by the nurses to purchase these gifts on our behalf, as in previous years, we are delighted that the gifts will help to brighten up the festive season of the children. “As a local business, Vistry Eastern has also been very pleased to give its support to the local Chelmsford and Brentwood Foodbanks, who are both making a real difference to tackling food poverty in the local community. The Foodbanks are a lifesaver for many and we hope our donation and food collection will help both Foodbanks support as many people as possible who really need it this Christmas and into 2021.” The leading housebuilder is behind developments across Essex, including Livingstone Gardens, Chipping Ongar and Strawberry Fields, Great Yeldham. For more information about the homes available visit: bovishomes.co.uk and lindenhomes.co.uk.
