A COMMUNITY-spirited group of volunteers have given up their time to give Rugby’s hospice a makeover ahead of its reopening.
The Myton Hospices’ Rugby Support Hub – which has been temporarily closed during the pandemic – is being given a lick of paint by a kind group of professional and amateur decorators, free of charge.
It was the idea of Rugby man Keith Lawson, owner of The Blind Company, who saw the ‘run-down’ looking hospice when he was asked to provide a quote for new blinds – and couldn’t bring himself to charge them for his services.
He said: “The hospice desperately needs some work doing. It’s tired and dated, it hasn’t been redecorated for a number of years. It wasn’t good to see it in such a run-down state.
“After I came out, I realised I couldn’t really charge them. So I thought, let’s see what we can do to help them out.”
Keith took to social media and managed to recruit a small army of around 15 volunteers from the area – including friend Jim Noll.
He also managed to get some free components from his suppliers, and persuaded Dulux to provide free paint.
The Myton Hospices charity needs to raise £7.8million a year to care for people with terminal illnesses at its sites in Rugby, Warwick and Coventry.
Years ago, a bereaved friend told Keith how the charity had to raise funds through donations – something which has always stuck with him.
“It takes a lot of money to keep these things running, all from charitable donations,” he said.
“It is so important to our town to have this facility, which any one of us may need, and the dedicated staff who work there are absolute angels. The work they do is outstanding.”
Keith thanked everybody who responded to his appeal for their support and commitment.
“The response we had was remarkable,” he said. “It’s lovely to know that there are people out there who care about the community that they live in.
“I’m not surprised because the public are absolutely fantastic when you do things like this. That’s what we do in Britain isn’t it?
“It’s still pleasing that people out there care and want to get involved.”
Tracey Evans, the Hub Manager of Rugby Myton Hospice, said everyone at the hospice had been overwhelmed by the support of the community.
She said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their kindness and generosity.
“We have been lucky enough to have a number of local painters and decorators, led by Keith Lawson and Jimmy Noll, volunteer their time to give the building a makeover ahead of the opening of our new Hub in May. Keith is also supplying and fitting all of the blinds free of charge and Dulux Paint have kindly donated the paint.
“We can’t thank them all them enough!”
Rugby Myton Support Hub is due to reopen in May.
Visit www.mytonhospice.org for more information on the charity, or to donate.
