Hire firm celebrates anniversary with hospice donation.
A digger hire company has pledged all the money earned from the rental of one of its vehicles to Milton Keynes’ Willen Hospice charity.
Perth-based Morris Leslie Plant Hire are sending a special ‘50th Anniversary’ digger to its UK depots, and it’s coming to the Ampthill, Bedford site next month. Each depot can choose a local charity to which all proceeds from the digger’s hire can go.
“We have chosen Willen Hospice because it’s a charity close to my heart,” said Kyle Jones, account manager at the Bedford depot. “My grandad was there.”
The stunning Kubota 5T Excavator has been specially wrapped in commemorative colours to celebrate the hire firm’s half century and Kyle hopes that the charity link will encourage his clients to hire the vehicle for more than the usual weekly rate.
“As soon as we told one customer that the proceeds are going to Willen Hospice they said yes straight away to the hire,” said Kyle. “It usually costs £305 a week to rent but of course the more money we raise from it the better, so we are hoping to get over the odds – rather like a donation.”
The digger, which is used for general excavation work on building sites and similar projects, will be available at the Bedford depot for nearly three weeks in March. The hire site serves Milton Keynes, Northampton and surrounding areas.
Kyle hopes it will be kept busy for the entire period to raise maximum money for the charity.
“Here at Willen Hospice, we’re only able to provide our free expert care for local people with a life-limiting illness thanks to fundraising from our generous community,” a hospice spokesperson told MKFM.
“Patients and their loved ones may be going through the toughest time of their lives, and our teams can offer much-needed support. Only 13.8% of our running costs are met by ongoing NHS funding, which is less than half of the average amount provided to hospices nationally.
“We’re really grateful to Morris Leslie Plant Hire for thinking of us as part of the celebration of their 50th anniversary.”
