Trolley good show! Ben’s generosity with donations
BUSINESS owner Ben Simpkin saw how he could help East Cheshire Hospice during visits to see his late father. He donated two sophisticated medical trolleys, products his company supplies to hospitals and health centres.
Hospice nursing staff liked the essential equipment so much they asked for a quote to buy another one.
Ben happily agreed to their request but would not take any payment. The extra trolley is for use in the Sunflower Living Well Centre.
He says it was the least he could do for the way they looked after his father, Howard, who died of pancreatic cancer in September, aged 79.
Ben is MD of MS Group, a holding company trading also as Zarges Medical UK. It supplies the medical industry with furniture and storage equipment.
He is following in the footsteps of his dad who set up the company in 1978 and lived in Adlington.
Ben said: “The company was dad’s life work and we’re carrying on that tradition. During hospital stays in his last two years, we’d discuss the furniture in there and laugh about how he could sell them something.
“He spent his last three days in the Hospice and while
I was wandering through the corridors one night I saw their existing trolleys.
“I asked them if they’d like two new ones. They were most grateful and more than happy to accept my offer.
“They rang to ask for a price for another trolley, but it’s hard to charge a place like that for anything so we’ve donated three altogether.
“The trolleys are top of the range, flexible and can store everything from bandages to syringes.
“The way the Hospice cared for my dad was unbelievable.
“They couldn’t have done any more or been any nicer. I can’t repay them for what they did, but it made sense to help them with any little contribution we can.”
Helen Henshaw, manager of the Hospice’s Sunflower Living Well Centre, said: “Ben’s generosity not only honours his father’s memory but also contributes significantly to our ability to offer compassionate, high-quality care.
“These trolleys are much more than just equipment. They’re a vital part of our daily efforts to provide gold standard care and our nurses love them.
“We’re deeply thankful for the ongoing support which helps us make a real difference to the lives of those we care for.”