Morrisons supermarket marks 125th anniversary with £8k donation for community garden at Haven Centre in Inverness
Work on a community garden at a centre for young people with complex needs in the Highlands will start thanks to an £8000 grant on behalf of a supermarket giant.
The Elsie Normington Foundation, which is behind the Haven Centre in Inverness, has received the funding from the Morrisons Foundation which is celebrating the national retailer’s 125th anniversary by giving back to 125 charities in the community.
The Haven Centre, which opened a year ago, is Scotland’s first multi-purpose centre for children and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
It includes specialist play facilities, a community cafe, respite suites and garden.
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Elsie Normington, chairwoman and founder of the foundation, said the organisation was “absolutely delighted” to receive the generous funding which would enable a start of work on the community garden project.
“The community garden will provide so many opportunities and benefits to young people with complex needs and disabilities in our local area and beyond and will feature a growing area, a sensory area and an area for reflection,” she said.
“The young people will have the opportunity to learn new skills through supported volunteer placements at the garden too.
“We can’t wait to get started!”
Kylie Omand, community champion at Morrisons Inverness, recommended the charity as part of the Morrisons Foundation’s Community Spaces Fund which was established earlier this year to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
“Being a community champion allows me to have strong relationships with the local charities and groups, to better understand the work they do,” she said.
“I’m very proud to have been able to help the Elsie Normington Foundation receive the grant on the 125th anniversary of Morrisons which will go towards essential work that benefits those that need it the most.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives.
Since launching, more than £44 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
