Electric van helps fuel charity’s work

A Harrogate gardening charity is expanding its community work after securing funding for a new electric vehicle as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.

Horticap has taken delivery of a new electric van following support from developer the Banks Group, as well as and fundraising efforts led by Harrogate-headquartered hospitality firm HRH Group, who raised money for the project through a charity golf day.

Based at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries near Otley Road, Horticap provides horticultural training and social development opportunities for adults with learning and other disabilities across the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon areas.

The charity, which currently has around 55 adults with different disabilities on its books, regularly travels across the region to maintain gardens and outdoor spaces, with the new vehicle replacing an ageing van that had become increasingly expensive to maintain.

The electric van features Horticap branding alongside the Banks Group logo and an image of the charity’s patron, broadcaster and gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

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 per cent electric, it’s great for running around our lovely town centre at little cost and with zero emissions.”

Family-owned property, housebuilding and mining firm The Banks Group, based in Meadowfield, in County Durham, has supported Horticap on several previous projects, including improvements to its nature trail and social spaces in 2021. 

Last year, a grant of £4821 also helped the charity install two new 56ft polytunnels to improve growing and learning facilities for students.

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.”

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