A Worcestershire forklift truck firm has raised £1,500 for St Richard’s Hospice to celebrate 40 years in business.
MSM was also marking a relocation move from their base in Malvern to larger premises in Buckholt Drive, Worcester.
The firm held two open days at the end of last month for customers, suppliers and staff to visit the new site and raise funds for the charity. Many people donated prizes for the raffle and tombola as well as making cakes to sell.
Managing Director Alan Barnes, who joined the firm as an apprentice in 1985, said, “Sadly we all know people that have needed the wonderful support of St Richard’s at various times and this has encouraged so many of our supporters and colleagues to donate to help us raise funds on our open days.”
Christine Waring, Financial Director, added, “Saturday was family day and the children loved being able to sit on the trucks, playing golf and having a go at hooking a duck with a digger. They were having so much fun, they didn’t want to go home!”
St Richard’s Fundraising Manager Rachel Jones said, “We are thrilled that MSM has chosen to support St Richard’s in this way. Every penny helps us care for our patients and their families, enabling them to achieve the best quality of life at a very difficult time.”
MSM started in 1974 and was based in Malvern for many years. In 2007 a management buyout took place and the four present directors have steadily grown the company incorporating brands such as Toyota Forklifts, Rough Terrain Forklifts, Wacker Neuson Excavators and Dumpers along with Polaris utility vehicles, RCM sweepers and Passenger and Commercial Tail-lifts.
MSM has had a family run feel since the beginning, Alan Barnes Managing Director, joined the company as an apprentice engineer in 1985, and Kevin Ratcliffe, Tail-lift Service Director is the longest serving member of the company at 31 years. The other two involved in the management buyout were Dean Tandy, Service Director Forklift and Christine Waring, Financial Director. The firm has now have grown to over 20 members of staff a large proportion of which have been employed for 10 years plus.
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,500 patients and family members in Worcestershire.
Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 17-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.
In the In-patient Unit specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients’ symptoms and where, if appropriate, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity. St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help them to continue their work.