We’re an international business with a global customer base, but we’re still committed to supporting our local communities by sharing our skills and expertise.
Willow Burn Hospice is an exceptional charity, which is local to our Houghton-le-Spring training centre. The hospice provides a vital service which benefits the entire community – and we were able to give something back by supporting this great organisation.
Making it happen
In 2017, our Houghton-le-Spring team provided potentially life-saving equipment to the hospice, with the aim of helping people have the best quality of life while avoiding the need for hospital admission.
The hospice first approached MRS Training & Rescue as they required first aid training, which we provided free of charge. A few weeks later, the hospice contacted us again as they had been awarded a grant from the Gannett Foundation – one of only two charities in the region to benefit from that round of funding. The grant was for first aid equipment – we were able to source this for the charity and to further support the hospice, we provided free training on how to use the equipment. In total – the training we provided was valued at £1,000.
Our training centre in Houghton-le-Spring has developed a close bond with Willow Burn and continues to provide a range of supporting services and advice.
Willow Burn fundraiser Gill Adams: “These items of life-saving equipment could be crucial to ensuring the safety of vulnerable people at a very sensitive and emotional time. We have used the grant towards defibrillators, evacuation chairs and resuscitation trolleys.”
On-going support
We’re proud to continue to support Willow Burn Hospice by providing first aid cover for their various charity events. We do this on a volunteer basis and have helped at a Food Festival, a Christmas 5K Jingle Bell Run and two charity bike rides. Members of our team also ran for them in the Great North Run to raise money.
Get involved
If you would like to donate to Willow Burn Hospice – visit their website. If you are in the Durham area you can also support the charity by donating unwanted clothes and household items to their stores.
We are thrilled with the award from the Gannett Foundation and the fact that MRS has been able to secure the equipment for us at cost, while also providing free training courses.”
