News

Service personnel “floored” by donation

January 29, 2015 No Comments

We have struck a deal with The 1968 Foundation (Central), a newly registered community interest company, to donate leftover carpets from our exhibition halls to help furnish temporary housing for cash-strapped ex-service personnel.

Founded by Steve Wood, the company is named after the only year since the Second World War when no British service people have been killed in action.

Our Housekeeping manager at Telford International Centre, Nita Winkless, said: “The foundation has been given permission to take up unused flats and houses across the borough which are either being sold off or demolished in the next few years.

“Structurally, the properties are in generally good condition, but they have no carpets. So after we recently hosted The Flying Show at the venue, we were left with some stand carpeting which was in good condition, but was earmarked for recycling.

“We spoke to the organisers to see if they would be happy for us to see it re-used for this worthy cause, and they were delighted to be able to help.

“It has been extremely fulfilling for us to be able to help homeless ex-service personnel in this small way, and we will be keeping in close contact with The 1968 Foundation (Central) with a view to making further donations in the future.”

Steve Wood said: “We are very  grateful to Telford International Centre for thinking of us as the carpet will help to make a lot of people so much more comfortable, and we’re looking forward to working on future projects with the team.”

The carpet donation comes hot on the heels of another charitable act by our Group hotels.

We recently changed linen suppliers, and had 220 unwanted duvets available. So we donated the bedding to Shropshire Community Project, a charity which collects unwanted furniture and gives it to families in need.

Nita Winkless and Steve Wood with donated carpet