Food Standards Agency staff showed their support at Symphony at the Tower

A team of volunteers working for the Food Standards Agency across the North West gave their time to help with the preparations for St Catherine’s Hospice’s Symphony at the Tower weekend.

The group of colleagues came from everywhere from Cannock to Cumbria to lend a hand!

Simon Morton, a service delivery manager based in Manchester, had been looking for a good cause in a central location where they could give their time and help make a difference.

He contacted the North West Civil Service Local team- who already work closely with St Catherine’s and The Mill, providing monthly advice sessions for those facing life-shortening conditions on a range of issues – and they suggested helping the hospice.

It coincided with the hospice’s flagship event, Symphony at the Tower, and St Catherine’s suggested the group might like to help out with the preparations. This year’s weekend of live music at Hoghton Tower welcomed Status Quo on Friday July 3rd and Blake, Lucy Kay and the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday July 4th.

A group of 10 staff gave their time on the Friday and helped with a range of jobs – from erecting signage and banners, setting up gazebos and seating, and even a spot of butchery on the catering team’s hog roast!

Simon said: “We’ve had a great day and have all really enjoyed getting stuck in and getting our hands dirty!

“It’s clear that the work St Catherine’s does is very important and it has inspired us to want to get involved further, and hopefully arrange for other colleagues to get on board too.”

Lorraine Charlesworth, Director of Income Generation at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Simon and the rest of the team for their hard work – their help was invaluable and ensured that vital things were in place ahead of the crowds arriving on Friday evening.

“We’re delighted they enjoyed the experience so much and are looking forward to working with them and their colleagues again in the future.”

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