City farm receives much needed funding from CGI

A city farm which provides educational and recreational resources for families, schools and community groups has received a much needed cash boost from an international business based at Space Park Leicester.

The Gorse Hill City Farm charity in Leicester is home to around 120 animals and has been appealing for support because it is facing rising costs and no longer receives council funding.

The charity’s plight attracted the attention of international IT and business consulting firm, CGI, which has a team based just 10 minutes away from the farm at Space Park Leicester, the University of Leicester’s £100m space research, innovation and teaching hub.

Keen to help, CGI has given the charity a grant of £26,000 to help it modernise its water system, upgrade the fencing around its pig enclosure and purchase a new lawnmower to help staff maintain the farm’s 20 acre site.

Donna Kelly, Senior Vice-President, South and Midlands at CGI, said: “Supporting the communities where we live and work is a core part of who we are at CGI. 

“Gorse Hill City Farm is a fantastic local organisation that provides invaluable opportunities for education, wellbeing and community engagement, while caring for more than 120 animals. We are delighted to be able to support the farm through this funding and hope this is just the beginning of our partnership. 

“Alongside the donation, we're looking forward to seeing our members use their volunteer days to help with future projects and continue making a positive difference together."

A CGI team has been based at Space Park Leicester since 2022 and is working on Earth Observation apps programmes, space ground segment software and systems, as well as satellite communications and mobile apps.

Space Park Leicester Chief Executive Officer Will Wells said: “Partner businesses at Space Park Leicester impact the local economy and society in a wide range of ways, including through employment, training young people, developing exciting new products that benefit society and safeguarding national security. 

“The enriching role that CGI plays is extraordinary with its broad based environmental, social and governance agenda. Providing a grant of £26,000 to support Gorse Hill City Farm is a fantastic example of a business reaching out to its local community in a way that will have a deep impact on a really important asset to the people of the city. 

“We’re so proud that CGI is a partner at Space Park Leicester.”