Local businesses team up for new Hospice in Southend

April 28, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Two Southend based businesses have teamed up to raise money for a new Hospice that will eventually care for thousands of people across South East Essex.

Law firm BTMK have joined forces with Chartered Surveyors & Estate Agents Ayers & Cruiks to raise money for Havens Hospices and the new Fair Havens they are building opposite Priory Park in Prittlewell. The firms are hoping to raise over £20,000 for the charity’ by April 2020 and have created a Fundraising Committee who will be organising a variety of events throughout the year including Golf Days, a Walking Challenge and a Christmas Varsity Match.

The charity is now just over £950,000 away from raising all the money needed and the build, which started in October 2018, is making good progress. Barnes Construction who are building the new Fair Havens have recently begun installing the trusses for the roof of the In-Patient Unit, 100 of the 290 trusses have been installed to date. The external facework has commenced to the Day Hospice with first fix mechanical and electrical elements underway as well.   

BTMK’s Managing Director, Nitin Khandhia and Business Development Director, Victoria Elliott-Potter joined Kevin Cruiks, Co-Owner of Ayers & Cruiks and representatives from the charity and Barnes Construction to see what their fundraising efforts will be helping create for current and future generations across Southend, Rochford and Castle Point. 

Victoria said “It has been fantastic to see what is happening on site today and to really see the scale of the project. The free, specialist care that Havens Hospices provide is vital and it really is going to make such a huge difference to the area, especially as they will be able to care for twice as many patients. BTMK have always been supporters of Havens Hospices and when they began building, we wanted to help them take the next step in their journey by raising money to help build and equip their new In-Patient Lounge.” 

Kevin added, “We have a great relationship with BTMK and have also been involved with fundraising for Havens Hospices over the years, we are currently helping the charity sell the current hospice site in anticipation of moving to the new building; we were delighted when they invited us to join with them on this fundraising initiative. It is going to take a mammoth effort from both firms to reach our target, but together we are determined to help Havens secure the future of local hospice care.”

If you’ve been inspired by BTMK and Ayers & Cruiks and want to choose new Fair Havens or Havens Hospices as your Charity of the Year, please contact Jacqui Knowles on 01702 220354 or jknowles@havenshospices.org.uk or visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/corporate to find out other ways your business can help.

For more information about new Fair Havens please visit www.fairhavensforlife.co.uk