Pictured (left to right): Paul Gooding – Vitax’s chairman; Claire Buck and Andy Gurney – Vitax directors; with Stuart Wiles – regional director for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in the East Midlands

Vitax has renewed its horticultural partnership with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity through donating £10,000 to help the organisation continue its vital work with soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity (ABF) is the Army’s official national charity and supports the army family through life’s challenges, including helping wounded soldiers to adapt to life after service, to assisting elderly veterans to keep their independence.

Vitax announced its initial partnership with the charity in 2017 and the company’s most recent donation adds to the £26,000 it has previously raised to assist ABF’s work.

Paul Gooding, Vitax’s chairman, says: “Vitax initially started working with with ABF in 2017 through the sale of promotional packs of Q4, with the partnership being as much about raising funds as it was about raising awareness and visibility of the charity.

“Since then, we have raised £26,000, mainly through the sale of Q4, and have been looking at additional opportunities of how we could continue to help make a difference.

“Vitax has a natural alignment with ABF as many beneficiaries have taken up gardening to improve their health and wellbeing or pursued a career in horticulture, and we’re thrilled to be able to support the charity once again in its life-changing work.”

The funds previously raised have helped ABF continue to award individual grants that address immediate needs, such as providing mobility equipment to help injured veterans stay active and independent, and funding training to help service leavers find rewarding civilian careers.

Receiving the donation following a visit to Vitax’s head-quarters in Coalville, Stuart Wiles, regional director for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity in the East Midlands, says: “It’s fantastic to renew our partnership with Vitax who have been invaluable advocates of the charity for several years.

“This year’s generous donation will not only go towards our continued support of beneficiaries, but also grants to partner charities, including those delivering specialist horticultural therapy to soldiers, veterans and their families.

“We, like many other charities, rely on partnerships like the one we have with Vitax, to be able to deliver complex treatments to some of our Army family in times of need, especially with the current cost of living crisis and its ongoing impact.

“During the past 12 months, ABF have provided funds to support over 70,000 people in 45 countries, which is why organisations such as Vitax play such a pivotal role.”

To find out more about Vitax, visit: www.vitax.co.uk.

To find out more about ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, visit: www.soldierscharity.org