Helping Hands - Braintree, Essex

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE

[Chelmsford, Essex; 13th June 2008] The count down until the fourth annual Help Hands Day has begun! Saturday 28th June will see over 10,000 volunteers donate their time and services in over 100 local projects nationwide.

The William Julien Courtauld Hospital in Braintree will be the focus for Essex volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who will work alongside the local community to improve, restore and repair.

Media are welcome to attend and report on site during the mammoth overhaul project, which will see rejuvenation of the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust hospital.

The crumbling exterior will see young and old alike paint, plaster, garden, build and repair. The local homeless organisation CHESS will also benefit from the days events.

This follows on from the successful transformation in 2007, when the St. Peter’s Hospital, Maldon received the Helping Hands treatment, leaving the Mix Essex Primary Care Trust Manager, Laurie Payne, in tears... "I must confess that I sat and had a few tears on a bench, in the rain, as the improvements you have made were quite overwhelming. Could you please convey my personal thanks, from the bottom of my heart, to all the wonderful people who helped to make this happen. The hospital has become a much more welcoming place for patients, visitors and staff and a credit to the community. Thank you all, once again, and all I can say is... Groundforce - eat your heart out!"

On a national level; A combined total of over 50,000 hours of service is anticipated by nearly 10,000 members collectively. And the local communities, with their varied projects, will be changed for the good of all. Participants will be easily recognised in their communities by their signature bright yellow vests, or the older white and blue versions, with the distinctive Helping Hands logo emblazened across their chests.Typically, young and old will work side by side to beautify the communities in which they live. As in the past, most of the work will be undertaken outdoors in gardens, parks, woodlands, playgrounds and in cleaning up building facades.

For more details on the William Julien Courtald Hospital, visit http://www.meht.nhs.uk/

For details of how to get involved and volunteer your time to help improve Essex - email helpinghandsuk@live.co.uk