Fundraisers present superb gift to Redditch disability home (From Redditch Advertiser)

Fundraisers present superb gift to Redditch disability home

8:40am Friday 21st September 2012 in Local

A GROUP of fundraisers who wanted to give something back to a home for the disabled in Redditch have raised £20,000 for a new adapted vehicle.

Redditch man Keith Fowler was approached by colleague and friend, Bob Marklew, to ask if he would co-ordinate a fund-raising drive for Saltways, the Leonard Cheshire disability home in Redditch.

Following a tragic accident 10 years ago, Mr Marklew’s daughter Joanna Smith had been cared for at the home for the last four years and Mr Marklew wanted to raise fund to say thank you for all the care the staff had given not only to his daughter, but to him and his family.

Mr Fowler said: “Bob feels that the care home staff do a fantastic job in everything that they do.

“It was discussed between a committee including myself, Bob, Craig Fowler and Alan Read that we would raise funds to purchase a vehicle for the home, thinking it would take approx two-three years to carry this out.

“We have achieved our target within 18 months due to some fantastic sponsors.”

Some of the generous sponsors include Craig Fowler at Lloyds Bank, Merry Hill, Alan Read at Ames Environmental Services, Pete Harrison at Ricoh Arena Shopping Centre, Chris Amos at Chapters Hair Salon in Bromsgrove, Steve Stowe at the Masonic Lodge in Kings Heath and Fowlers Golf Society.

Mr Fowler added: “We have had various raffles but our major event was a golf day at Redditch Golf Club, just down the road from the care home. The golf club was fantastic, giving us the course for the day.

“In all we have raise over £20,000 and purchased a Peugeot expert tepee, fully converted, to allow access to wheelchairs of all sizes, enabling family members to take their loved ones out from the home.”