Community rallies round workers at devastated factory
FUNDRAISER AFTER BLAZE SMASHES ITS TARGET
THE local community has rallied around to help the workers of a Hessle factory that was reduced to ashes.
Workers at the Bridgewood Plastics factory saw their livelihoods go up in smoke on Wednesday after the building was destroyed in a huge blaze, causing a plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.
In just a matter of hours, the future of around 120 people were thrown into uncertainty right before Christmas.
Pubs and businesses immediately threw open their doors to help those evacuated from their homes.
Now that spirit of generosity carries on with the community looking to secure a stable immediate future for the factory’s workers.
Ben Malbon, of Harry’s Bar, and Mark and Maria Atwood, of The Norland pub, have been at the centre of the fundraising efforts.
Ben said: “We’re business owners and good friends. I was sat with the landlord of The Norland last night and I said I think we should do this.
“The fundraiser has been set up very much for workers and families with Christmas in mind. That’s why we added if people want to drop off some toys they can – some people have already.
“The fundraiser was already at £850 after being up for about three hours. Hopefully, we will get a load more toys. People can drop them here or at the Norland.
“We are just storing until we’ve spoken to the manager of the business. We’ll leave up to them how they distribute it to the workers and their kids.”
The future is highly uncertain for Bridgewood employees at the factory, which made plastics and components for a number of companies, including in the production of things like car dashboards and car mats.
The company was the subject of a management buy-out when Thompson Plastics went into administration around 20 years ago, meaning it is effectively staff-owned.
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service worked for over 16 hours to extinguish the fire at the site completely, which was fuelled by 300 tonnes of plastic, while a number of road closures were in place.
John Smith, a supervisor at the site, said: “The staff at Bridgewood are all very close-knit, it is like a family there and we’ve all be left devastated by what happened.
“I’ve had a lot of people calling me up to ask what is going on, everything is very uncertain right now, we won’t know for sure
until the insurance is sorted out.
“That is all for the people at the top to worry about and I know they’re working on that at the moment, for the workers though we’re just left in the lurch a bit.
“No one knows for sure what is going to happen and just before Christmas, too. There are a lot of staff with young families who don’t know what is going to come next.
“We’ve been giving each other as much help and support as we can and we didn’t know about the fundraising at first.
“These people have done all of this off their own back and I know the rest of the staff like me just want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved and who has donated so far.
“I want to put it out to businesses in the wider city, too. All of the local businesses in Hessle have done their bit or are doing their bit, but we need all the help we can get.
“We don’t know what the next few weeks will bring, but it is so good to know that we have the support here.”
The fund smashed the initial £2,000 target in just one day and the generosity of local community has been recognised by local MP Emma Hardy, who wrote on Facebook: “Thanks again to everyone who has come together to help those impacted by this disaster.”
Mark wrote in the fundraiser as an update: “Wowza. 2k in a day!
“We will up the total to 5k, we have the press getting involved tomorrow and hopefully some local businesses will get on board.
“A huge well done to the Hessle community I’m proud to be part of.
“Thanks to you all for your donations, it’s going to help so much. I have had some amazing messages today from the workers it’s much appreciated. So if you haven’t given and have a few pounds spare please help.
“Business please help if you can, the money will be back in your tills soon I’m sure.”
To donate, go to www.gofund me.com/f/bridgewood-factoryworkers-fund