Shop boss and customers help to provide food banks with love
MOTORHOME HIRE BUSINESS HOPES TO BENEFIT AS LOCKDOWN EASES
A BURTON shopkeeper has shown his support for those struggling during the pandemic by donating 160 cases of drinks to seven food banks in the town.
Sukh Gill, owner of the Nisa Local in Horninglow Street North distributed more than 20 cases of Ribena to each of the sites.
The drinks have been donated as part of a campaign by the soft drinks manufacturer to allow independent retailers to donate its products to charities of their choice so they can support those who need their help.
Mr Gill said the decision on where he should donate the drinks was left to customers who follow his shop’s social media page. They voted on where they should go, he said.
The seven recipients are the Loveinspire Foundation, Community Kitchen Hub, A Gift For You, Winshill Resource Centre, Burton Hope, Random Acts of Kindness and the Salvation Army.
Mr Gill said: “This was a brilliant initiative by Ribena and it allowed us the chance to offer our support and repay the community who has looked after us since we moved here in 1987.
“The concept worked really well and the feedback we have received off the back of this has been very heart warming. We want to appreciate our community and make them realise we are here for them.
“Things have been tough for a lot of people and hopefully we will get through the current situation and will look forward to welcoming
all our customers back.
“We still have some stock available, so if anyone does require it for their food support service, they can come into the store, ask for me and I will work something out.
“It’s very important to stick together and look out for our own in these testing times, I hope the stock has helped to do that and as a business we are always looking for more ways to support those around us.”
A COUPLE have turned their passion for camping into a business – which they hope will benefit from the demand for holidays as lockdown is lifted.
Trudi and Adam Lilley launched motorhome hire business Hey Campers in Coalville.
The couple said they were looking forward to a busy summer season as the government finally starts easing months of restrictions.
They could also benefit from camping and caravanning being allowed to open up before hotels.
The couple have been campers for over a decade and have been motorhoming for the past five years.
They spotted a business opportunity after renting out their first motorhome when they were not using it, and have since expanded their fleet to six, with more vans planned as the country opens up.
The pair, who have run an accountancy consultancy together for seven years, have now taken on new premises.
The Hey Campers depot – which will open to the public when Covid restrictions end – is home to their six motorhomes, Tillie, Beni, Lexie, Lillie, Minnie and Tessie.
Trudi said: “There’s so much uncertainty around holidaying and travel restrictions at the moment but, understandably, people are desperate for something to look forward to.
“We’ve already seen booking for half of our summer availability this year and feedback from campsites is that they’ve seen a rise in inquiries, too.
“If holidaymakers can’t go abroad, then the chance to take to the open road and discover something new in the UK is a popular alternative, especially as motorhomes provide selfcontained living.”
Anyone interested in booking can take a virtual tour of their chosen motorhome, helped by Hey Campers’ general manager and concierge, Samantha Mccaffrey.
She recently joined the business having worked at Avis until her role was made redundant. Also joining the business is marketing intern and graphic designer Molly Jarvis. The
Sheffield University student is responsible for managing Hey Campers’ social media and design.
Trudi said: “With Hey Campers we’ve added lots of personal touches and special extras to make sure trips in one of our motorhomes, will be truly memorable.
“These include luxury bed linen, made-to-order food hampers, 5G-enabled Wifi fitted as standard and premium sports and movie channels.
“Our ambition is to also explore ‘money can’t buy’ experience stays and to get the message across to all our customers that with a Hey Campers hire they can have holidays they’ll remember for a lifetime.
“Just last year, Adam and I were sitting in our motorhome Tillie in Jersey overlooking the beautiful St Ouen’s bay. As I watched the waves crashing over the rocks, Adam made us a Sunday lunch with roast lamb and all the trimmings.
“We sat down in this perfect location to enjoy our meal and I remember thinking, what more could you want?
That’s what I want for all our holidaymakers.”