Harrogate horticultural charity Horticap is going even greener after securing sponsorship for a new electric van from developer the Banks Group.
Horticap provides opportunities for adults with learning and other disabilities to get hands-on training at the Bluecoat Wood Nurseries off Otley Road.
Activities include garden maintenance, horticulture and crafts, through which students can develop and improve their social and personal skills alongside their gardening knowledge.
The charity regularly takes students off-site to tend other gardens around the Harrogate area, but with its previous van starting to show its age and the cost of maintenance rising, it launched a fundraising campaign for a new van as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.
The Banks Group, which is a long-term supporter of Horticap’s work, stepped forward with a substantial five-figure sponsorship to cover the majority of the van’s cost, with Harrogate-headquartered hospitality firm HRH Group also raising money for the project through a charity golf day.
The new vehicle is decorated with the Horticap name and the Banks brand, while it also features the face of Horticap’s patron, Alan Titchmarsh.
Horticap currently has around 55 adults with different disabilities on its books, almost all of whom live across the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon area.
Phil Airey, operations manager at Horticap, said:
“We use horticulture as an educational tool and provide a supportive and friendly working environment in which our students can develop their social and communication abilities.
“Off-site working is an integral part of this training and is an activity that our students love, but the van we’ve used to make these trips was really starting to look its age and was costing us more and more just to keep it on the road.
“We knew we had to look for a replacement and were keen on going electric if we could, but our rising running and equipment costs, we knew we needed outside help to make it happen.
“The Banks Group has stepped up once again to provide absolutely invaluable support for our work and we’re proud to be carrying their name around the area with us.
“Our new van will be vital for us in carrying out gardening work and deliveries throughout the area, and with it being 100% electric, it’s great for running around our lovely town centre at little cost and with zero emissions.”
Previous funding from the Banks Group enabled Horticap to revamp its popular nature trail in 2021, with additional seating areas, new pond screening and interpretative boards added in and a new sunken garden created to provide a social space that is now well used by visiting schools and community groups.
A £4,821 grant given in 2024 enabled Horticap to bring in two new 56 feet long polytunnels, which provide a better growing and learning environment for students to work in.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at The Banks Group, added:
“Horticap undertakes absolutely amazing work which builds both the skills and the self-confidence of the students that it works with.
“We’re very pleased to be increasing our support for this exceptional community charity and thrilled to see the Banks brand riding alongside Horticap’s on their wonderful new electric van.”
Anyone from a community close to a Banks Group project who is interested in applying for funding from the Banks Community Fund should contact the company via its website enquiry form (www.banksgroup.co.uk/contact-us/) to find out if their group or project is eligible.
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