The Fortec Distribution Network has raised more than £8,000 for babies and young children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses bringing the total raised by the Watford Gap based company to over £20,000 over the past two and a half years.
Neil Hodgson Managing Director of Fortec, which operates a 65-strong network of licensees across the UK including Nightline in Coventry, presented the cheque Corporate Fundraiser Muna Chauhan of Zoe's Place Hospice and to bring a little extra Christmas cheer donated a further £150 worth of vouchers to purchase toys for the children.
Situated in Coventry, Zoe's Place is the region's only facility to provide specialist palliative and respite care for babies and children up to the age of five. Since its opening in 2011, it has accommodated about 50 (check) babies, infants and children each year - working with around six families at any one time.
With the foundations of the service now firmly laid staff are looking to expand in the hope of reaching out to more families each year and providing round-the-clock care for more children.
The much-needed funds were raised at Fortec's recent annual awards dinner, partly through sponsorship from major transport industry names such as Mercedes Benz, Isuzu, Road Haulage Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and Road Transport Media as well as donations given through the night including a substantial sum from xxx based Vita Software.
This latest donation will go towards the charity's recently launched Open Doors Appeal to enable Zoe's Place to provide round-the-clock care to children and families throughout the West Midlands.
Neil Hodgson said: "Zoë's Place is a fantastic facility providing much needed care and support for the children and their families.
"I first learned more about the work of the charity over two years ago and when you come into contact with the hospice you cannot fail to be touched by the plight of these brave children.
"The staff are tremendous. They work tirelessly for the benefit of the youngsters, providing an invaluable resource to each and every family using the hospice services, but there is clearly a need for the hospice to be able to reach out to more families in the area through a round-the-clock service - and of course this does not come cheap."
Neil praised the licensees for their support over the past two years as well as the generosity of this year's sponsors.
He added: "We owe a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in a bid to give every child in need the love and support he or she deserves with the help of Zoë's Place and its staff. We are also immensely grateful to our sponsors who have made such a fantastic contribution.
"It is truly an honour to work with the charity and we are delighted to be able to continue with our support."