AN IPSWICH park received a tree-mendous boost as 500 new saplings were donated and planted by a green-conscious firm.

AN IPSWICH park received a tree-mendous boost as 500 new saplings were donated and planted by a green-conscious firm.

Call Connection, based in Cromwell Square, took the step after committing itself to reducing their carbon footprint.

Workers from the firm joined volunteers from the borough council and Otley College planting the trees in Gippeswyk Park, Chantry.

Laura Whitfield, a council park ranger, said: “It's been a team effort really. Call Connection came to us with the idea and with the help of all the volunteers we should complete it in a day.

“Without the company we wouldn't have been able to do this planting this year. It's been great to have them on side.”

The new plot borders an Age Concern wood planted ten years ago. The birch, oak and pear trees will eventually form a belt of woodland across the area.

“We chose this park because it is one of the barren ones,” said Laura. “Hopefully in 15 to 20 years it will be full of wildlife.”

The planting is part of Call Connection's ongoing plan to become more environmentally friendly.

The call handling company held a Greener Living Project awareness day last October to encourage staff to reduce their carbon footprint.

A 'Green Team', made up of employees from across the business, has also been established to continually promote this message.

Graham Kalbraier, Managing Director, said: “We decided about a year ago to do more than just recycle our cups to help the environment.

“Our ultimate aim over the next few years is to become a carbon neutral company and this is just part of it. As well as planting the trees here we're looking at growing trees in Kenya.”

The planting received the full backing from the borough council's ruling administration.

Judy Terry, spokeswoman for Culture and Leisure, said: “We're really pleased to be working with Call Connection on this project. It will make a great addition to one of our important parks and we're very grateful for the support of Graham and his staff.

“Our thanks must also go to the students from Otley College.”

Call Connection aims to be a carbon neutral company in the next two years. This means achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount offset.

As well as planting trees in Britain and Kenya, the company is donating money to building wind turbines in the UK.

To offset carbon emissions companies can plant trees, build wind turbines, and install energy saving light bulbs.

The Maldives recently announced they plan to become the first carbon-neutral country within a decade.

To see you businesses carbon footprint visit http://www.carbonneutral.com/business-carbon-calculator/index.asp