As part of the P&A Group, timber garden product specialist, Zest, is in the running for a Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award in the ‘Made a Difference’ category, sponsored by The Alternative Board.

Zest’s managing director, Steve Morgan commented on the Chamber of Commerce recognition: “Making a difference is one of Zest’s core values with the aim of ‘contributing to the communities in which it operates,’ through fundraising, volunteer hours and donated resources.  We encourage all our personnel to get involved in whatever ways they can, and everyone is enormously proud of what we have achieved over the years.  Not only are employees giving back to the communities in which they operate, many of these events also encourage being active, which promotes fitness, wellbeing, and mindfulness for staff - another core value of the company.”

Since 2011, employees at Zest have voted for a charity of the year and a fundraising target is set in the region of £10,000.  Employees then suggest a collection of activities and events in which everyone can get involved, from marathons to fun runs to raffles and bake sales. 

Over the last 11 years, Zest has raised in excess of £130,000 for the chosen charities. These include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and, this year’s choice, the British Heart Foundation. 

In addition to raising money for its charity of the year, this year, Zest has also supported a key fundraising event for the charity, My Name’5 Doddie. Steve Morgan, along with three other local businessmen, completed a cycle challenge from Edinburgh to Cardiff, raising an impressive £28,500 thanks to the support of suppliers, customers, and friends.  

The Chamber of Commerce Award shortlisting also follows on from Zest’s recent delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. The company has coordinated partners and local businesses to fill an articulated lorry with much-needed provisions such as non-perishable food, water, medical and first aid equipment.  Commenting on the Ukraine project, P&A Group director, Rhys Hughes, said, “One of our employees, Andrzej Dudziak, our Zest Polish Sourcing Co-ordinator, based near Gdansk, has been helping out at the Polish / Ukraine border a couple of nights a week and has been in contact with Caritas, the biggest charity in Poland which is also assisting at the border.  Andrzej advised that, despite the huge amount of support already donated, aid is still required.  

“We receive timber garden products from Poland weekly into our Saltney warehouse, so this seemed a prime opportunity for us to demonstrate our support by providing transport and coordinating this humanitarian aid.”

To find out more about the Zest range, visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk