0800 Repair Managing Director Phil Pallister has made a unique donation to a North East branch of the Children’s Society – the services of a man he won at an auction!
Phil was the highest bidder in an auction held at a charity race night organised by Flame Heating Group where he won the services of Flame’s salesperson Simon Scott for a day.
Rather than employing Simon with tasks such as mowing the lawn or cleaning out gutters, Phil decided to continue the charity theme by volunteering Simon to help the Children’s Society.
During his day at the charity shop in Blanford Street, Simon worked alongside the Children’s Society staff and other volunteers, sorting out donated stock, filling shelves and helping customers.
The Children’s Society provides support to children dealing with severe challenges, poverty and neglect. Its charity shops, including the branch in Sunderland, help to raise invaluable selling items such as clothes, homewares, music and books.
0800 Repair, which is based in Houghton-le-Spring, is part of Pacifica Group and its home services division, providing heating, plumbing and insultation services to customers across the UK.
Phil Pallister said: “I wanted to do something worthwhile with Simon’s time, so not only could I donate to charity with my winning auction bid, but also help out another important cause. The Children’s Society does amazing work and its shop staff work incredibly hard, so the addition of Simon to their team, even just for a day, was the least I could do.”
Simon Scott said: “It was fantastic to spend the day in the Children’s Society and I cannot think of a better way for Phil to have used the auction lot as we got to support a great charity. I am grateful for the team at the Children’s Society for having me for the day it was really enjoyable.”
Jeanette Walker, Retail Shop Manager at the Children’s Society Sunderland said: “The whole team were thrilled to have Simon work here for the day, it was a very thoughtful gesture from Phil Pallister and a great way to contribute our charity.”