A group of companies from across the fenestration sector have come together in aid of a children’s hospice charity.
In a collaborative effort instigated by BDC Aluminium, the businesses – which also included Smarts, The Window Company and Window Projects – have supplied and installed new windows and doors at the Little Havens children’s hospice in Rayleigh, Essex.
The only dedicated children’s hospice in Essex, Little Havens provides specialist care and support to babies, children and young people from across the county and surrounding areas who are living with complex or incurable conditions.
The support it delivers includes day stays, which give children a change of scenery and the chance to take part in enjoyable activities with other youngsters; overnight stays, which provide respite and recuperation time for families and carers; and emergency stays to help families accommodate unforeseen events and circumstances.
Little Havens also cares for children and young people approaching the end of their life, and for their families. As part of this care, families can stay in a private bereavement suite, known as the Woodland Suite, when their child has died and receive specialist support and counselling.
The aluminium windows and doors supplied by the industry partners have been employed in this bereavement suite. They have been used to replace wooden framed products and offer multiple advantages including better aesthetics, reduced maintenance requirements and improved energy efficiency.
Speaking of the donation, Su Harrison, a key patron of Little Havens, said: “Little Havens can only exist because of the generosity of individuals, organisations and the wider community. Every week, it must raise over £124,000 to be there for everyone who needs it.
“The hospice is based in a large and expansive building with dozens of wooden framed windows and doors, the majority of which could benefit from replacement due to their age.
“The cost of this renovation is expensive and the donation of the new windows and doors for the Woodlands Suite, along with the time and labour to install them, has conserved vital funds that will help the hospice to continue its invaluable work.
“This is hugely appreciated not only by the team at Little Havens but also by the many young people and their families who are able to benefit from its care and support, now and in the future.”
Russell Hensman, group marketing manager at BDC Aluminium, added: “BDC Aluminium has supported Little Havens in a number of ways over the years thanks to our previous managing director, David Green who became aware of the hospice and its important role.
“Our involvement in this latest project continues that relationship. It’s been great to see businesses at every stage of the supply chain pull together to provide the new fenestration products for the bereavement suite which is a place no parent ever wants to find themselves.
“There is still much to be done however and we’d like to see all of the windows and doors at the Little Havens replaced and in a way that enables the hospice to continue providing high-quality care and support.
“That’s why we’re hoping other companies from the fenestration industry will get behind us and donate further products and expertise to such a truly important and worthwhile cause.”
