Back in July 2024, same-day courier and official carbon-neutral business, HBC Logistics, sponsored a vibrant new wildlife and gardening rejuvenation project for Sutton V.A Lower School. We’re thrilled to share an exciting update on how things are going.
Last summer, we proudly donated £850 to help bring this green vision to life. While the project was briefly paused due to a huge construction at the school, the wait has certainly paid off — and we were delighted to recently return and see the incredible progress for ourselves.
When Vicky, a dedicated school gardener and parent, and Headteacher Lucy Chapman first reached out, their Sensory Garden and vegetable patches were in need of some TLC. Vicky’s passion for outdoor learning and reconnecting students with nature was clear — she just needed the support to make it happen. That’s where we stepped in.
Each year, as part of our carbon offsetting initiative, HBC Logistics partners with customers and local organisations to fund environmental projects that give back to the community. In the past two years alone, we’ve donated over £4,000 to support schools across Bedfordshire — from bee conservation to tree planting, and now sustainable gardening. It’s a meaningful way for us to ensure our carbon-neutral pledge has a real, lasting impact.
Together with Vicky and the school team, this donation has helped breathe new life into three key areas:
Woodland Sensory Garden
What was once an underused space, has been transformed into an imaginative and interactive Woodland Sensory Garden – now including a variety of textures, sights, and sounds to stimulate young minds — as well as attract bugs, birds, and other local wildlife.
From a beach area to a musical corner, Noah’s Ark, and even a wishing well pathway, the garden has been reimagined as a series of sensory “stories.” It’s still a work in progress, with blooms just beginning to show, but the transformation so far is nothing short of inspiring.
Butterfly Garden 
Starting as a simple idea, the Butterfly Garden has taken shape — literally! Designed in the outline of a butterfly, this floral space will soon burst with colourful flowers, creating a living sculpture for students and wildlife to enjoy.
Vegetable Garden
The vegetable garden has undergone its own exciting upgrade. It’s now protected by new posts and fencing (keeping both wildlife and rogue footballs out!), and features six raised beds where students have already begun planting vegetables such as beetroot, peas, and potatoes.
Just outside, two upcycled troughs are ready to be filled with herbs and strawberries — with all the produce shared among students and staff.
We’re so proud to see the tangible results of our carbon-neutral programme at Sutton V.A. Lower School. While there’s still more planting, more painting, and more growing to come — the heart of the project is already thriving.
A huge thank you to Vicky, Lucy, and the whole school team for their creativity and commitment. We look forward to our next visit in June.
