Funds raised from the sale of the Portland Square sundial have been donated to John Eastwood Hospice in Sutton.
A total of £1,250 has been contributed by Ashfield District Council and its contractors, supporting the hospice’s vital end-of-life care and bereavement services.
The donation was made possible through the sale of scrap materials from the recently removed sundial, as well as contributions from local contractors Lindum Group, Melfort, and Selmec.
John Eastwood Hospice provides essential end-of-life care and bereavement support for individuals living alone. Located just 1.2 miles from Portland Square, the hospice was chosen as the beneficiary to give back to the local community. The donation will help towards the hospice’s annual running costs, which exceed £750,000.
Councillor Tom Hollis, Deputy Leader of Ashfield District Council, oversaw the donation process. He praised the initiative, saying:
“The removal of the sundial has allowed us to give something back to the community in a meaningful way. By donating funds made from its removal, we have been able to support John Eastwood Hospice with money that may not have been available otherwise.
“This donation will help support the hospice and its crucial work. It also highlights our commitment to community spirit and sustainability, and is an expression of gratitude for the significant work the hospice does.”
John Eastwood Hospice began providing palliative care in 1991. This year, it launched its 1991 Club, a scheme aiming to recruit 1,991 members to donate just £1 a week to the hospice. Collectively, this could raise around £130,000 annually.
The redevelopment of Portland Square will feature two raised lawns with inbuilt seating, eight new semi-mature trees to reintroduce greenery to the urban setting, and new planters. Additional improvements include new street lighting, level paving, expanded outdoor seating areas for local businesses, and state-of-the-art CCTV cameras.
Work on the project is expected to be completed later this year. The plans for Portland Square form part of Ashfield District Council’s £62.6 million Towns Deal, which is funding 16 transformational projects across the district.
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