Hundreds of workers for a long-established Basingstoke based firm got their hands dirty volunteering at community projects dotted around the town.
Up to 300 Lilly employees based in Priestly Road gave up their Thursday to help mark the company’s global Day of Service drive.
The global pharmaceutical company were present in 13 different projects across the town, including creating a vegetable garden at the YMCA Basingstoke, manning a stand for Sue Ryder Care at the top of town collecting donations, and painting a mural for young people with severe learning disabilities at the Firvale Respite Care Unit at Basingstoke Hospital.
At the Popley Spotlight Centre in Shakespeare Road, volunteers were tasked with giving the centre a new lick of paint.
From 9.30am to 4pm the 25 dedicated workers applied coats of paint to the kitchen and reception areas of the centre which provides low cost activities for youngsters, and people with special needs.
Coordinating the Lilly workers was Tania Skinner from Odiham based firm Employee Volunteering. She said the day had been a huge success.
“It has gone really well,” she said. “Everyone turned up very enthusiastic and willing to get on with the task in hand.
“They have all done a fantastic job so far and there are even a few who have said they want to come back and volunteer outside of work and help finish off.”
For Kirsti Pearce from Lilly, she said the day was an important way to give something back to the town.
She said: “It has been fun and a good team building exercise for us. And it is good to know you are giving something back to the community.”
Spotlight centre boss Michaela Riley was full of praise for the volunteers and grateful for the painting - something she had planned to do for a long time.
She said: “It is going to bless a lot of people and brighten the place up. The paint makes the place more welcoming.
Across the country 600 Lilly employees volunteered in 12 different region, including Bournemouth and Eastbourne.
