Red Funnel initiated the first step in its pledge to plant 160 trees across the Island in celebration of its 160th birthday, by officially launching the tree planting initiative with a ground-breaking ceremony at Mountbatten Hospice on Wednesday.
This year, Red Funnel is marking over a century and a half of travel between the Isle of Wight and the mainland – serving as the Island’s original and longest-standing ferry operator. As part of the birthday celebrations, the cross-Solent operator is launching a community initiative that will bring together Island partners and residents, to look back on the ferry company’s past and to plant the seed for the next 160 years.
Having been inspired by the Island’s creative roots and local environment, the ferry company is gifting 160 trees to 11 local businesses, charities and community groups, to contribute to the important community outdoor spaces for Island residents to enjoy.
The first planting ceremony was held at Mountbatten Hospice on Wednesday morning, with Nigel Hartley, the Chief Executive of Mountbatten Hospice and Councillor Matthew Price, Ward Councillor for Fairlee and Whippingham, supporting with breaking ground and planting the first tree.
Red Funnel is working with local nursery Busy Bees to supply all the trees, fortifying its commitment to supporting Island business owners.
Fran Collins, Chief Executive at Red Funnel said:
“We are extremely proud to partner with the community to gift such an important aspect of what makes the Island so unique: it’s scenic spaces and biodiversity.
“We wanted to thank local businesses and residents like the team at Mountbatten Hospice for the amazing work they undertake on a daily basis by gifting trees to help with creating spaces for them to relax and reflect.”
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Nigel Harley, Chief Executive of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, said:
“We are really grateful to Red Funnel for the gift of these trees, enhancing the look and feel of our hospice site is really important to us and the planting of these trees will complement our wonderful garden and outdoor spaces, which are so well looked after by our volunteers.
“Red Runnel has been a long-standing supporter of our work and this latest gesture is really kind and appreciated by us all at Mountbatten.”
Councillor Matthew Price, Councillor for Fairlee and Whippingham, said:
“It has been great to attend today’s tree plant ceremony and it is wonderful to hear how Red Funnel is supporting the local community through its series of initiatives, whilst also celebrating its 160 year history of supporting the Island community.”
The full list of partners includes: Mountbatten Hospice, Cowes Town Council, Northwood Recreation Grounds, East Cowes Council, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Isle of Wight Learning Centre, Kingswood Learning Centre, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Isle of Wight College and Monkey Haven.
RFS, last of the big spenders?
They prob got a deal with a garden centre to supply them you scratch my back il scratch yours
160 years, maybe they started off quite well, but over the last say 25 years there has been nothing but price rises, lack of any care about the island population, breakdowns, profiteering in the extreme. So why not do something properly and REDUCE, yes, REDUCE fare for islander residents, not some half-assed scheme, just bring in reduced fares for ALL islanders. We all know you won’t, just wishful thinking.
Keep on building houses / shacks there won’t be any room for trees
Total waste of time just to try to appear politically correct. Still, in a few years they may make decent fuel for a log burner.
What a bunch of tight ar*es !