Thanks to a small army of volunteer helpers, everything is coming up roses at Bonwick Family Centre, the Isle of Man Children’s Centre’s headquarters in Ramsey.  

The property’s extensive garden and play area has been given a dramatic makeover by fifteen volunteers from financial services company, Friends Provident International.

Community-spirited FPI staff swapped their desks and computers for spades and wheelbarrows in order to coordinate the IOMCC’s Garden Project.  The Castletown-based company has always placed great emphasis on supporting community and charity projects across the Island and this green-fingered challenge was clearly one not to be missed.

Over the course of two Mondays during April, the team cut the lawns, pulled out all the weeds and overgrowing ivy, tended to hedgerows, power-cleaned driveways, painted fencing and even washed down all the outdoor play equipment.

One of the FPI gardeners, John Whitehouse, a Business Analyst during normal working hours, spent much of his voluntary day taking on the challenge of the overgrown perimeter hedges. 'We’ve all really enjoyed coming here and helping out. The weather’s been kind to us and hopefully this will keep the garden looking ship- shape for some time to come,' said John.

The IOMCC’s Bonwick Family Centre Team Member, Tracy Bell, said all the staff were grateful to the FPI volunteers for giving the outside areas such as stunning overhaul.  'They’ve done a fantastic job. We really couldn’t have done it without them. Nothing has been too much trouble,' she said. 'We have a lot of community activities coming up here in the summer and thanks to FPI the whole garden area looks in superb condition.'

Pictured: Friends Provident International gardeners mingle with IOMCC staff and children at Bonwick Family Centre.