It’s all hands on deck at Ashford Hospital as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line staff undertake voluntary project to spruce up facilities

Staff from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – owner of the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands - came to Ashford Hospital in Middlesex on Saturday 10th March as part of their annual Get Involved, Volunteer Everywhere (G.I.V.E) event. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary and being the first year that Royal Caribbean staff outside of America have been able to participate, the G.I.V.E day provided the company with a fantastic chance to give a little something back to the community in a fun, valuable and rewarding way.

This years' project saw staff from all departments from the Europe, Middle East and African headquarters in Aviator Park,Addlestone, Surrey - even including one 26 year old who was actually born at the hospital -take part in various tasks at Ashford hospital including tidying up courtyards and planting plants, sanding and varnishing benches around the hospital, and decorating various rooms.

‘Focus DIY’ in Ashford generously donated wall and timber-care paint and offered 10% off anything purchased for the project.  With a massive 40% discount on plants from The Plantation, the Royal Caribbean team was well set to spruce up courtyard areas providing areas for patients and relatives to enjoy.  Brandon Tool Hire in Ashford also helped considerably by providing discounted hire charges for the jet wash used to bring life back in to the tired and tarnished outdoor patio area.

Susan Hooper, Senior Vice President International, Managing Director EMEA, commented “We are delighted to be able to help Ashford Hospital in this way and give something back to our local community.  We as a company are committed to our environment and are happy that our dedicated staff has volunteered their time and effort with helping out today.  It is fantastic to see how just a little bit of hard work and energy can make such a difference in such a short space of time and we hope that patients and visitors to Ashford hospital will enjoy the new, spruced up surroundings.” 
  

Karen Marsden, Voluntary Services Manager for Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust continued, “We were over the moon when we were approached and told that the fantastic staff from Royal Caribbean were going to be investing their free time and money into helping improve our facilities.  In today’s economic environment and with purse stings getting ever tighter, any little bit of help goes a long, long way.  What Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has achieved today will be enjoyed by many for a long time to come.  A big thank you to all who took part.”