Hundreds of NI employees out in force for #LoveYour Landscape Day
Over 400 business volunteers from 22 companies rolled up their sleeves and ventured out to the great outdoors on Friday 28 September to take part in #LoveYourLandscape Day – an environmental volunteering initiative organised by Business in the Community, in partnership with Out There Services and NI Environment Link.
Pictured on #LoveYourLandscape Day at Connswater Community Gardens in Belfast are representatives from Business in the Community, Out There Services, NI Environment Link, Phoenix Natural Gas, Consumer Council and Groundwork NI.
Volunteers took part in a range of environmental challenges at 27 sites across the province. The initiative aimed to put a spotlight on Northern Ireland’s beautiful and diverse natural environment and support those vital organisations that manage and maintain it. All activities had an environmental focus, ranging from maintaining community allotments, to beach cleans and litter picks, and even heathland restoration in the Mournes.
Companies that took part included: Allstate Northern Ireland, Balloo Hire, Bazaarvoice Belfast, Caterpillar, CCEA, Danske Bank, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Haldane Fisher, HM Passport Office, Invest NI, McAvoy Group, NI Assembly, Out There Services, Pernot-Ricard, Phoenix Natural Gas, Survitec Group, Synopsys
Denise Cranston, Head of Community Programmes, Business in the Community said:
“In Northern Ireland, we are extremely lucky to have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world on our doorstep, but maintaining our landscapes is hard work, and often relies on the goodwill and support of volunteers.
“Over 400 employees rolled up their sleeves for the day and made a difference in their local communities, whilst also getting a chance to explore all that Northern Ireland has to offer. Working in teams, volunteers had the opportunity to use their skills, talent and experience for a good cause, and of course, have a bit of fun along the way!”
Bronagh Vallely, Financial Director at Out There Services, adds:
“We are delighted to help support #LoveYourLandscape Day. By working together, volunteers made a tremendous impact in a very short space of time. We all have a responsibility to help protect and maintain our environments, and #LoveYourLandscape was a great opportunity for everyone to roll up their sleeves, and get stuck in!
“In total, volunteers donated over 2,400 hours in one day which is a brilliant support to the organisations that help to protect and maintain our landscapes.”
Business in the Community runs a range of volunteering programmes and action days that businesses can get involved in throughout the year. For more information, please contact andy.nisbet@bitcni.org.uk, call (028) 9046 0606.