Northumberland firm raises £48,000 to fund electric ambulance for cancer charity
A local cancer patient care charity has received a £48,000 ambulance from a Northumberland firm following two years of fundraising.
On Monday, October 26, employees from EGGER UK’s Hexham manufacturing plant officially handed over Daft as a Brush’s first-ever electric ambulance.
The new vehicle, named the EGGER Express, will provide free transport for cancer patients travelling to chemotherapy and radiotherapy appointments across the North East.
As the first electric ambulance in the charity’s fleet, it represents an important milestone in helping Daft as a Brush deliver its services more sustainably while reducing operating costs.
Andrea Glover, CEO of Daft as a Brush, said: “EGGER is providing vital support by donating the first-ever electric ambulance in our fleet.
“This will allow us to cut down on fuel costs and run our operation more sustainably, whilst continuing to provide free, reliable transport for cancer patients travelling to and from hospital for treatment.”
The ambulance is the result of a two-year fundraising partnership between Daft as a Brush and EGGER UK.
More than 650 employees from the company’s Hexham plant helped raise £48,000 through a combination of company funding and employee-led fundraising activities.
The vehicle was named EGGER Express following a staff competition, while employees’ children contributed drawings of the EGGER factory and local landmarks, including Hexham Abbey.
These were brought together by the Daft as a Brush team to create the colourful design that now decorates the ambulance.
While £20,000 was provided directly by EGGER UK, the remaining £28,000 was raised through employee initiatives.
Colleagues came together to support the cause through activities including the Three Peaks Challenge, the Inflatable 5K, bake sales, charity games and a golf competition.
Many employees took part in this year’s Great North Run, including marketing apprentice Abi McLean, who completed the event for the first time.
Abi said: “I started training six months before the run and felt so proud to finish it, having raised £680 for Daft as a Brush.
“It was definitely a strong motivator.”
Andy Sanderson, Chair of EGGER’s Charity Committee, added: “It was a pleasure working with Daft as a Brush and having them as our headline charity for the past two years.”