Joinery business helps homeless

GENEROSITY . . . Garry Holt (Emanuel Whittaker), Mike Ferguson (Sovereign), Mike Ryance (Emanuel Whittaker), Simon Stott (Salix Homes), Jeremy Wynne (Rixonway Kitchens), John Gallagher, Paul Robinson and Adam Berry (Emanuel Whittaker)

STAFF from joinery and refurbishment firm Emanuel Whittaker and their suppliers have been doing their bit to help vulnerable homeless people at Christmas.

The workers have made donations to the Manchester Homeless Shoebox Appeal, which help homeless people, and vulnerable tenants linked to the Sixtown Housing association in Bury.

Clive Newton, managing director of Emanuel Whittaker, said: "Once again, our staff and sub-contractors have shown their generosity by helping others less fortunate around Greater Manchester.

"Their projects have included simple gestures such as sending out Christmas cards and chocolates to the elderly, to major initiatives that help homeless people."

Employees Garry Holt and Adam Berry approached their bosses at Emanuel Whittaker along with sub-contractors to ask for donations for the Manchester Homeless Shoebox Appeal.

The charity gives homeless people boxes containing food, essentials and treats such as sachets of soup, chocolate, toiletries, warm winter socks, gloves and hand warmers, chocolate and biscuits.

Mr Holt told the Chronicle: "We gave £100 and our suppliers including Airsafe UK, Sovereign Group, and Rixonway Kitchens supported us.

"Together we collected £370 which meant we had enough money to make up 50 shoeboxes."

Garry added: "It's not just the homeless people who get a box ­- but some or their dogs as well ­- as we had enough cash to put together 10 shoeboxes for dogs which included a waterproof mat, doggy biscuits, food and a water bowl, giving our four legged friends a bit of a Christmas treat too."

Emanuel Whittaker teams also supported a winter warmer campaign organized by Sixtown Housing in Bury.

The campaign provides vulnerable tenants with packs containing blankets, bed socks, thermometers and food ­- including pasta and sauce, porridge, soup, rice pudding and hot chocolate.