Staff at a Balloch children’s hospice were “really impressed” by the charitable work of a team of engineers who gave their garden a summer makeover.

Engineers from gas distribution company SGN (previously known as Scotia Gas Networks) banded together to take a day off work and help out at Robin House’s six-acre garden.

Engineering manager Chris Moyes was a former Robin House volunteer and fundraiser for the hospice and was inspired to rally his colleagues when he learned the gardens needed a tidy.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The team were hard at workThe team were hard at work (Image: SGN)

The group were aided by the grounds’ full-time gardener Maggie and set to work clearing overgrowth around a stream, clearing shrubbery around the pathways and building wooden surrounds around trees.

Chris said: “Robin House is a very a special place and I’m so pleased the rest of the team wanted to volunteer here.

“We’re really pleased with the amount we got done in just one day and hope the children and their supporters will be able to make use of the grounds.

“We plan to continue supporting them going forward and we’re already looking forward to supporting in their gardens again next year.”

Helensburgh Advertiser: The grounds' paths were left tidy and clear thanks to the teamThe grounds' paths were left tidy and clear thanks to the team (Image: SGN)

SGN employees are given a day off work each year to volunteer with a charity as part of the company’s Community Action Programme.

Staff at Robin House – which is run by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland [CHAS] - provide a full family support service for babies, children, and young people with life-shortening conditions.

Through CHAS’ hospices, homecare services and work in hospitals they offer palliative care, family respite and support services.

Helensburgh Advertiser: A look at the wooden surrounds the group builtA look at the wooden surrounds the group built (Image: SGN)

Senior corporate partnerships executive at CHAS, Lara MacDonald, said: “We were delighted when we heard Chris and his colleagues were keen to return to Robin House for a day of volunteering.

“The whole team were really impressed with how they got stuck in and were able to achieve so much.

“We rely on the generosity of volunteers and fundraisers all year round and we’re really grateful to SGN for allowing their people to take time out from their day jobs and give back to the community.”

As well as the garden, Robin House also contains a hydro pool, art room, den, and areas for relaxing and fun to give children and their families space to have fun and relax.

The hospice also has bereavement support, care services, and quiet areas for reflection.

Find out more about Robin House and CHAS here: www.chas.org.uk/how-we-help/who-you-will-meet/at-robin-house.