Publication Date: 20-09-2024 09:00
Volunteers from homebuilder Bellway help spruce up garden at Polly’s Pad house at Basildon Hospital
Staff from local homebuilder Bellway have volunteered their time to help out at Basildon Hospital’s Polly’s Pad.
Bellway Thames Gateway Project Director Ed Brading and Sales Maintenance Operative Oneil Kenyon gave their time and effort to carry out gardening, DIY and cleaning tasks around the outside area on Tuesday 10 September.
Polly’s Pad is a three-bedroom house in the grounds of the hospital that gives parents and carers of children being looked after there a place to stay nearby, featuring individual access to each room, twin beds and bathrooms.
Bellway is building new homes less than two miles from the hospital at Maple Creek in Fobbing.
Elise Fleetwood, Events and Corporate Relations Manager for Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, said: “Polly’s Pad is a real asset to parents of poorly children at Basildon Hospital; being able to provide free accommodation to those in need makes such a difference to our younger patients and their families.
“With plans to reopen the site this year, we were over-the-moon to have been offered the assistance of Bellway Homes. Their day at the hospital went a long way in getting the garden area looking much more welcoming to our families and we look forward to working together in the future.”
After the volunteering day, Ed said: “I was very happy to volunteer at Polly’s Pad. The house makes such a difference to parents and carers who have a sick youngster needing care at the hospital, especially if that is over a long period of time.
“Having a place to rest and sleep comfortably while knowing you are still not far away from your child should they need you, makes things so much easier for people who are going through a very challenging time.
“Oneil and I focused on the appearance of the outside areas while we were there by sprucing up the fence, pulling up weeds and jet washing the paved areas. I hope it makes things a little nicer for anyone who needs to stay at Polly’s Pad.
“As we are building homes nearby, we were keen to contribute our time to supporting such an important and worthwhile facility for local families.”
To find out more about the new homes Bellway is building at Maple Creek, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/maple-creek or call the sales team on 01375 265307.
