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The facilities management company launched its search for a charity to support in October of last year. After studying dozens of applications, staff chose GROW, Guernsey’s sheltered workshop for people with a learning disability.
‘GROW does an incredible job for a number of people with learning disabilities and we want to be able to help raise their profile in the community,’ said Karen Girdlestone, AFM’s commercial manager.
‘When you see GROW from the road you wouldn’t believe what goes on behind the scenes. As well as growing and selling bedding plants, they grow their own vegetables and have a carpentry workshop, creating benches and planters. AFM is looking forward to working with GROW to help with fundraising, using our staff’s professionalism, experience and manpower to provide practical support, and we will also have the charity’s name put onto the backs of our vehicles throughout the year.’
Darren Brehaut, operations manager at GROW, added: ‘It’s fantastic that AFM have thought of us. We are always trying to make the best use of any money we receive to make things better for the guys, so it’s great that AFM are coming on board and helping us out.’
Patrick Palmer, chair of GROW Ltd, added: ‘It’s a constant struggle to keep the charity on an even keel, so AFM’s association is very much valued. It’s so important to continue to raise awareness of GROW. We have huge development plans, to replace all the greenhouses and create a large education project.’
Last year, AFM partnered with Riding for the Disabled Guernsey and raised more than £1,300 through dress down days and other fundraising events. The company also invested £1,000 to enable the charity to buy new riding helmets.
Throughout the year, staff helped out as lead reign walkers and they also created colourful dressage markers which the children enjoyed using.
