A BUSINESSMAN whose factory unit was flooded after the recent heavy downpours as he was storing Christmas donations, still managed to deliver hundreds of presents.
Tom Poole, from Grubworkz in South Petherton, was keeping the donations in his factory which flooded after the heavy rain hit Somerset earlier this month.
Mr Poole was storing toys and other donations in an upstairs unit unit so nothing was damaged.
He decided to collect and deliver toys to put a smile on children’s faces living in the area with the help of other businesses and Chard Lord’s Larder Foodbank.
With the help of all the other parties involved, including Gary Waddon, who runs Waddon Construction Ltd, Mr Poole completed the task.
He said: “We got flooded [Monday, December 4] in our unit in our factory. It was a bit of a nightmare.
“Everything was kept upstairs so nothing was damaged. The damages were work-related.
“In the end, we had to postpone the toy collection and delivery to focus on work for a week.
“We have received over £7,000 in either toy vouchers or money and we have purchased over 850 individual toys/gifts and donated over 800 books and around 400 batteries, 60+ rolls of wrapping paper, and a lot of chocolate.
“Along with various donations of both toys and wrapping paper from individuals with the community.
“We’ve purchased a vast array of toys from skateboards, scooters, Remote control cars, soft toys, jigsaws, colouring books, pens, activity sets, board games, ride-on tractors, Barbies, and a lot of Lego to name only a few.
“This whole project would not have been possible without the support of Martyna Lee for Lord’s Larder, who did an excellent job of coordinating the various agencies and schools etc.”
Martyna Lee, from Chard Lord’s Larder Foodbank, said: “We were able to help 243 children on Monday [December 11], but I am still having referrals coming through, so we are trying to organise more presents for those families.
“So, it’s not quite over yet. I am hoping for a few more donations so we can help those referred late.”
Mr Poole, along with other businesses and agencies, also made sure donations also arrived at Musgrove Hospital.
Here is a list of people and businesses Mr Poole would like to thank:
- Hunts Food Service
- Mean Broadcast
- Terre Di San Vito
- Jeremy Blair of Jeremy Blair Just Mortgages
- Eco Electrix
- Terry Chard of TRChard Builders
- Ben Creese Butchers
- Louise Hendy of Louby’s Playhouse
- Nick Sawyer of CHIC Woodturning
- Beehive Storage
- Cassi Joy of Cassi Joy the hairstylist
- Brown Sugar consultancy
- Clifton Food Range
- Arthur David Food Service
- HM construction
- Rachel Portlock – Portlock Pantry
- Daniel Richard Evans of D Evans Builders
- Ross Fanyinka of Ross Fanyinka Osteopathy
- Steve Harms of Obsidian Tattoo
- Luke fowler
- Ryan Dawe
- Glen Levi
- Chris King
- Lorraine Poole
- Adam Tovey
- Amanda Webb
- Loring Development
- Green Slade Taylor Hunt
- Theresa Arter
- Dukes Hill
- Helen Browning Organic
- Dave Johnson of DWJ plastering
- Neil Hazell of JN Hazel patio & decking
- Lefktro Fine Foods
- IceOTemp chilled distribution
- Johnny De Napoli of Mean Broadcast
- Tracie De Napoli of Terre Di San Vito
- Papergami creative print and design
- Taste Tradition Meats
- Numatics international
- Lorna Scobie Cookson from Macmillan publishers
- Ben Welch Jewson’s Honiton
- Rachel Collins Architec
- Various anonymous donation.
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