Birmingham’s leading businesses have been battling it out for first place at a hospice’s Winter Wonderland competition – with Platform Securities and the Adecco Group UK&I named joint winners of the top spot.
11 corporates from across the city took part in Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s contest on Friday 23 and Friday 30 November, which saw teams put their tree decorating skills to the test.
A total of 14 teams took part in the festive tournament, helping to transform the Hospice’s garden into a sparkling spectacular for patients, their families and loved ones to enjoy over the Christmas period.
Platform Securities, which is based in the city centre and provides outsourcing solutions to other businesses, won the top spot for their poignant display. It features handmade Remembrance poppies that employees had crafted, which was to mark the recent 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War One.
Employees at the workforce solutions partner the Adecco Group UK&I, transformed their tree into a giant snowman as they wanted to “bring a smile” to the faces of people staying at and visiting the Hospice.
Kim Woolley, service support director at Platform Securities, said: “The team are absolutely chuffed to have taken the top spot at Birmingham St Mary’s Winter Wonderland competition. Christmas is a time for giving, so what better way to kick-start the festivities than by giving up our time to support a great, local charity.”
Jennine Jevons, executive assistant at the Adecco Group UK&I, added: “I know our team put a lot of thought and effort into creating a touching but fun tree for patients and their loved ones to enjoy, so it’s great to see the hard work has paid off! We had a lot of fun decorating our tree and it really has got everyone into the Christmas spirit.
“Whilst we enjoyed getting creative in the garden, it was also heartening to tour the Hospice’s facilities and meet some of the doctors and nurses who will be supporting people to celebrate Christmas in comfort this year. It was an eye-opening experience and I’m glad that staff at the Adecco Group UK&I were able to play a small part in creating some of that festive magic.”
Other local businesses that took part included: DAC Beachcroft, Venn Group, Wesleyan, Phoenix Group, SCC, Irwin Mitchell, Capita, The Ivy Birmingham and Lloyds Bank.
Trees were judged by Matt Lightfoot, senior creative presentation manager at Selfridges Birmingham, who is responsible for styling the iconic store’s windows and displays. He said: “We clearly have a lot of creative Christmas tree decorators working in businesses across Birmingham. Everyone put a lot of effort into transforming their festive firs and it was fantastic to see some imaginative themes, such as a chocolate-inspired tree and a fir that was covered in flags from across the world.
“Although all the trees were spectacular, there had to be a winner and I chose Platform Securities for their touching tribute to World War One and Adecco because it was creative and fun. I also liked how both teams used handmade decorations and really thought about small details that complimented the Hospice’s caring values.”
Charlotte Anson, corporate partnerships manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, added: “A big congratulations to Platform Securities and the Adecco Group UK&I for decorating the winning tree – it has helped transform our garden into a beautiful backdrop for patients, their families and loved ones to enjoy this festive season. A special thank you to all the other teams who took part too – they all look amazing and we had a fantastic time in welcoming you to our Hospice.”
Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice provides vital care to people living with life-limiting illness, as well as support to the people who matter most to them. Every day, the Hospice cares for 400 people living across Birmingham and Sandwell, providing free, personalised care in people’s homes, in the local community and at the Hospice in Selly Park.
The Winter Wonderland competition is part of the Hospice’s ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign – a festive appeal that aims to increase support for the charity leading up to and over the Christmas period. It will cost £22,000 to run the Hospice on Christmas Day, so every donation will help support local families living with life-limiting illness over the festive season.
To find out more, visit our Care at Christmas site.
