A LinkedIn appeal for help with completing the fit-out of a hospice care charity’s new HQ resulted in a generous donation of pristine office furniture.

Clare Gallie, Chief Executive Officer of Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, issued the ‘shout out’ to contacts with clout in an attempt to speed up refurbishment work.

It has since been put on temporary hold due to the lockdown and the hospice continues to operate until its new Longfleet Road premises in Poole are completed.

Clare’s appeal was seen by Hannah Nardini, Managing Director at WKspace.

Her company specialises in the design of corporate workspace for large brands including The Body Shop, Allen & Overy and Marie Curie.

Hannah, pictured left, said: “When I saw the post from Clare, I created a post for my business contacts.

“As a business we have always supported charities and not-for-profit organisations.

“During the past few years many have had funding cut, or removed from government funding, which drives the need for community support.

“The response to my post was overwhelming and Gary Helm, founder of London-based obo, was one of the first to come forward with an immediate availability of help.

“He’s a past colleague who I know from working at Save the Children.

“It proved a perfect fit as one of his customers, a Hampshire-based financial services company, had asked him to clear a recently vacated building and dispose of the furniture in an ethical manner.”

Gary added: “A lot of clients move offices and sometimes good things get left behind.

“This has worked to the advantage of both the hospice and a financial services company which was furnishing a new headquarters building and wished to dispose of items which were no longer needed.”

As a result, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has acquired a sofa, tables, desks, 30 office chairs, 21 three-drawer pedestals, coffee tables, occasional chairs, double door storage cabinets, plus a meeting room table and chairs.

All are in excellent condition and safely held, pending delivery, at Lok’n’Store Poole.

Clare, pictured right, said: “There are so many cross-connections here, past colleagues, businesses which support local charities, and a wonderful Dorset-Hampshire collaboration achieved through the power of LinkedIn.

“Not only has the environmental impact of transportation been reduced and unnecessary landfill avoided, but also this sends a fantastic message to all about how we can be careful with resources.”

Clare – who is still seeking a main reception desk – thanked the local suppliers transforming the interior and exterior to date through free furnishings and installation.

They are:

• Saxby Lighting, part of the wider Poole Lighting group, has donated approximately £6,000 of lighting.
• Karndean Designflooring has supplied premium luxury vinyl flooring throughout the conservatory, day hospice and upstairs office area.
• Howdens Poole, the trade supplier provided a brand new staff kitchen, fitted by Greendale Construction.