Neighbours are good friends of Hospiscare

Neighbouring businesses in Marsh Barton met at the Hospiscare Enterprise Centre (HEC) on January 14 for a cheque presentation after supporting the local charity’s 12 Days of Christmas campaign.

The 12 Days of Christmas saw eight businesses, from units surrounding the HEC on Trusham Road, come together to raise money for the charity on a chosen date between December 13 and 24.

The businesses were asked to raise money in any way they chose from raffling a hamper to holding a mufti day or just by making a donation to Hospiscare.
More than £900 was raised for the campaign, which not only helped to support a local charity but also gave the businesses the chance get to know their ‘neighbours’, while opening up the opportunity for them to cross-promote each other.

Thrifty Car Rental Flexi-Fleet Development Manager Chris Bagwell said:

“Being involved in the neighbourhood campaign was very appealing. It was the thought of being involved in a big local event and getting to know your neighbours."

“The people that were here today for the presentation I’d never met so it was a good opportunity. Thrifty already supports Hospiscare but this was another way for us to get involved.”

12 Days of Christmas was the brain-child of Hospiscare Enterprise Centre Manager Paul O’Callaghan, who realised that he could help local businesses to come together whilst they helped to raise money for a local charity.

Paul said:

“I saw an opportunity to get the local business community working together, and by joining up we’re now cross promoting each other’s businesses."

“For everyone to have raised £920 for Hospiscare is just fantastic .I can’t thank them enough.”

This ‘n’ That Furniture, SIMS Metal Management, System Six Kitchens, Exeter Surplus, Picture Windows and Conservatories LTD, Thrifty Car Rental, M & J Bowers LTD and Blackmore IT all signed up in December to support the campaign and lend a metaphorical cup of sugar to their neighbours on the business estate.

Helen Bartlett from System Six Kitchens said:

“It is like lending your neighbour a cup of sugar – why can’t it be the same for businesses as where you live? We’re helping each other out."

"We signed up for the campaign because Hospiscare is a really good charity and it’s really nice to support local businesses in this area as well."

“System Six Kitchens has been [at Marsh Barton] for 35 years and I think it’s nice to get together and keep things local. You can easily get lost on Marsh Barton, so if we all know what each other are selling we can tell other people.”