Generous local Newcastle businesses and individuals have donated approximately 500 bouquets of flowers to the John Hunter Hospital and Ronald McDonald House through The Grateful Bouquet program.

The Grateful Bouquet program is a one-for-one pay it forward initiative started by local entrepreneurs, Gemma McBurnine and Jessica Shuwalow, at the beginning of this year.

The program provides a simple platform for businesses and individuals to give back to the community, while also doing something positive for themselves, their business, their clients and/or their employees. For every bouquet purchased through The Grateful, another is then put together on behalf of the purchaser and donated to the John Hunter Hospital and/or Ronald McDonald House.

Many businesses have jumped at the opportunity to give back to the community and have participated in The Grateful Bouquet’s subscription program, through which the purchaser receives a weekly bouquet of flowers for the office, home, clients or employees and the sponsor a particular area of the hospital of Ronald McDonald House for the second bouquet to be delivered to.

At the end of each week following the delivery of their donated bouquets, participants receive an ‘feel good’ email update with some pictures and a story about their donated bouquet, which businesses can then share with their network.

The support for the program from local businesses and the community has been nothing short of what you’d expect from the Newcastle community. Since launching, nearly 100 community businesses and individuals have now donated approximately 500 bouquets through the program.

One of the biggest contributors is McCarrolls of Newcastle, who have taken that new car feeling to an entirely new level. General Manager of McCarrolls, Nick Bonney said no hesitation was made in getting involved in the initiative.

“We simply had to be part of it; to give something back that was not designed for any other purpose than to bring some extra joy into people’s lives, especially the ones that need it the most,” Nick said.

“We couldn’t be happier to be involved with The Grateful Bouquet. It actually helps us feel special to be a part of something so wonderfully altruistic.

“Our valued customers feel delighted to know that not only do we truly care and seek to provide them with the highest level of customer service they deserve but that also someone less fortunate brought an element of joy in their lives as a result of choosing to deal with McCarrolls.”

Other participants and donors include fitness and wellbeing group BUF Girls Newcastle; conveyancers BJ Hill & Associates; marketing specialists The Measured Marketer; beauty therapist The Brow & Lash Co Newcastle; Natural Therapies Nourishment for Your Soul; HR specialists Puro People; not-for-profit The Sista Code; artist Colour Clouds by Leah; PRD real estate agent Brett Stephens and more.

IMAGE | Hunter businesses do their bit for local causes through The Grateful Bouquet.