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With over £100,000 left to raise by the end of the month, GROW Directors have said they are “fully confident” that their fundraising target will be met.
Redevelopment Campaign Patrons, Guy and Julia Hands, set a challenge for GROW to raise £375,000 by the end of August to secure a further donation of £125,000 from the charitable couple. The two sums will total the final amount needed to complete the £3m. project.
GROW Directors Angus Bodman, Mike Tidd and Marguerite Talmage said they were “certain” that the challenge set by Mr and Mrs Hands would be completed, with £260,000 already raised with two weeks to go.
Pictured: GROW Directors credited Project Manager, Gareth Billien, for keeping the redevelopment on-schedule and on-budget.
Mr Bodman said that the project was on-time, on-budget and on-target for completion in the spring, after nine years of planning.
“When the Board of Directors agreed in 2019 to demolish the failing greenhouses and replace them and other structures with a whole new facility we had no idea just what a complex project we were embarking on,” said Mr Bodman.
“However we took advice from people in the disability sector and today we are getting close to achieving our aim of creating a state-of-the-art training facility for people with learning disabilities and difficulties."
Pictured: The new facilities building includes an event room for fundraising events.
Mr Bodman said that the appointment of Mr and Mrs Hands as patrons of the redevelopment gave confidence to other member of the community to make donations.
“With much appreciated funding from individuals, businesses, corporate and charitable trusts the charity has very nearly reached its target. Every single penny helps pave the way,” he said.
On a recent visit to the site with her husband Mrs Hands said. “To see the progress at the site of the new GROW development was an extraordinary experience. The sheer size of the project and the enormous potential it holds for the future was evident.
“This new facility will enable not just GROW but other organisations to better deliver the services they provide to the community in Guernsey. It was so incredibly exciting to catch a glimpse of what is to come.”
Pictured: The new site is on schedule to open next Spring.
Mr Bodman and Mr Tidd credited Project Manager, Gareth Billien of B W Builders, for the continued success of the redevelopment.
“Gareth’s thoughtfulness, imagination and ability to roll with the punches of continual changes has been remarkable. The thought and application of detailing has been entirely down to Gareth,” said Mr Bodman.
“Both Gareth and Rodney Brouard [of Stan Brouard Ltd] have been instrumental in helping to keep the costs of the project down. They have been amazing.”
Mr Billien said that the project had been an “interesting” one for him.
“Every day has been a school day on this project in respect of learning about disability access. Every single door and pathway on the site are completely accessible for people with disabilities, which is not something that is usually done locally,” he said.
“It’s been fantastic to be able to be a part of this redevelopment.”
Pictured: The frame of the new potting shed has been erected at the Coutanchez site.
Mr Bodman added: “This site will be one of which not only the whole island can be proud but will also be a model for anywhere else in the UK as representing the very best that can be delivered for the learning disabled.”
The new facility at the Coutanchez will include a wellness centre for occupational therapy and gym equipment, a hospitality and retail training unit, office space for other charities, a retail outlet, workshop, greenhouses, a café, locker rooms, first aid centre and potting shed.
The project is due to be completed next Spring when the GROW Crew and staff will return to the site. Once the team is fully confident working in their new environment the facility will open to the public.
Pictured: GROW Director, Angus Bodman.
You can watch a timelapse video of the progress on the site HERE
With two weeks to go until the fundraising deadline, Mrs Talmage said she would “urge anyone who feels they can help get us over the line” to make a donation.
To make a donation, contact Marguerite Talmage on 07911 719081 or email redevelopment@grow.gg.
Donations can also be made to GROW Redevelopment Campaign, Sort Code 60 09 20. Account 45207755 or online HERE
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