More than 140 volunteers took part in the Big Bed Build project at Discovery Park
More than 140 volunteers recruited from businesses at Discovery Park recently took part in the Big Bed Build project to support a local Thanet charity and the families it helps.
The project was led by Cummins Inc, for its Community Partner Thanet Iceberg, a charity that works with individuals and households to combat the causes of poverty and tackling its symptoms.
90 more beds
On the day, the volunteers were set the task of playing their part in helping the estimated 300 children who currently have to sleep on sofas or the floor at night. The target for the day was to make the next batch of 90 beds as part of the Big Bed Build project.
The volunteers were recruited from 14 firms and Discovery Park donated the space for the team to work in and assemble and paint the wooden beds during six hours at the science and innovation park near Sandwich.
Andy Underwood, Director at Cummins, said: “After supporting the local community over the years, we know only too well that many families across Thanet and East Kent are struggling, and the current cost of living crisis is making it even harder. It’s been great to work alongside other businesses at Discovery Park and support the important work of Thanet Iceberg.”
Seven of the volunteers were refugees from Cummins’ community partner, the Kent Refugee Action Network, who came along to help build the beds.
Alexander Roarke of Thanet Iceberg said: “There is no easy answer for the problem in our region, but when 140 people get together to support projects like this it is a great step in the right direction to making the future a brighter place for the people of Thanet.”
Thanks go to:
- The charity that supplied the wood from donations for the volunteers to put together.
The completed beds and mattresses will be delivered by Thanet Iceberg to families across Thanet.
- Companies from Discovery Park and the local community that took part in this event
They included
- Cummins,
- Pfizer,
- Viatris,
- Kent Renewable Energy,
- Sterling Cross,
- Adastra,
- The Animation Company,
- Rogers and Co,
- Woodley Coles,
- Evolve Therapeutic Fostering,
- Tiscali,
- Instant Impact
- Natwest.