One hundred employees at paving supplier Marshalls plc have raised £17,000 for charity in memory of a much-admired colleague.
Elland-based Marshalls matched the tally pound for pound to take the total raised for the local Overgate Hospice to £34,000.
The money was raised through a sponsored walk organised by employees from Marshalls in memory of Martin Lewis, who had worked at Marshalls’ West Lane, Halifax, site for 12 years.
Martin, who lived at Siddal, Halifax, and worked as a team leader in the process development department at West Lane, was cared for at Overgate Hospice before he sadly lost his battle with a terminal illness.
Marshalls’ charity fundraisers – all employed at the firm’s Halifax sites – walked from Hebden Bridge to Siddal with Martin’s wife Rachel and two young children, Ethan and Jessica and members of his local rugby club, Siddal ARLFC. The group had aimed to raise £13,000 to cover the costs of Martin’s care, but easily surpassed the target.
Jo Sygrove, corporate fundraiser at Overgate Hospice, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the phenomenal amount Marshalls has raised with the walk in Martin’s memory – it’s really humbling.
“We have a long-standing relationship with Marshalls and without companies like them we simply wouldn’t be able to open our doors 365 days a year.”
Martin’s wife Rachel said: “On behalf of my family, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and donated.
“This is a massive gesture which will live with me and my children forever and help many other patients get the care they need.”
Marshalls chief executive Martyn Coffey said: “Martin was extremely well-regarded by his colleagues and as a business we wanted to recognise their fundraising efforts by matching every pound raised for this exceptionally worthwhile local charity.”
