Christmas Card Donation to local Charity

Andrew Clarke, Associate at Gullands Solicitors has handed over a £750 donation on behalf of the firm to Susie Chassagne, Fundraising Manager of Blackthorn Trust today, at the Co-Workers’ Christmas party.

Gullands chose Blackthorn Trust to be one of its two Christmas charities this year on hearing about their project to create a new physic garden at their premises in Maidstone and Susie’s own impressive personal fundraising efforts kayaking for Blackthorn in the French Alps.

Andrew Clarke comments: “We are delighted to make this donation to the Blackthorn Trust and wish them all a very Merry Christmas. The new raised beds in the garden are intended to create a new gardening workshop space for pain patients, who generally struggle to kneel down. The garden is intended as an asset for the local community as well as Blackthorn service users and to increase footfall to the Blackthorn Trust, as it will be free for the general public to visit.”  

The groundworks are have now been completed and the garden is scheduled for a grand opening in May.

The Blackthorn Trust offers specialist therapies and rehabilitation at its unique facilities near Maidstone, which includes the Blackthorn Medical Centre, a large biodynamic garden, a vegetarian café and kitchen, craft studios and therapy rooms.

Its work is based on the belief that more than medication is required to affect positive change in people: namely community, meaningful work, therapeutic and peer support, and daily routine. The Trust uses a person-centred approach to help people who are at particular points of crisis in their lives. It provides tailored programmes for people suffering with mental illness, chronic pain and type 2 diabetes. The Blackthorn Trust is a supportive therapeutic environment in which people can recover, grow and develop.