Spotting a social media message led to the kind gesture

Benches gifted to NHS staff to say ‘thank you’ for pandemic work

A company has gifted a beautiful bench to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to thank staff for everything they have done during the pandemic.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital gifted beautiful bench to thank staff for their hard work during pandemic

Eggleston Steel Ltd is a Derby based steel stockholder which has been established since 1809 and is proud to be one of Derby's oldest family owned companies. We stock, process and supply a wide range of mild steels and non-ferrous metals. Whilst most of our customers are based in the East Midlands, our central location in Derby allows us to provide our services throughout the UK.

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Staff and key workers at eight Midlands hospitals can rest easy after their inspiring efforts during the pandemic, thanks to a wonderful collaboration between Derby-based <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://egglestonsteel.co.uk">Eggleston Steel</a> and the local business community.This week, eight brand new, blue steel rainbow-themed benches (see pic, below) have been despatched across the region, one for each hospital from Chesterfield to Loughborough, with every expense covered by the 212-year-old family steel firm.The backstory to the benches is uplifting: back in the first national lockdown, Derby resident Maria White began a Facebook campaign to raise funds to provide an extra bench for the exhausted staff at Derby Royal Hospital, hoping to achieve the £1,200 she needed from donations from the community.&nbsp;Little did she then know that her campaign soon became a regional phenomenon: Maria’s Facebook plea came to the attention of Richard Hewitt, Eggleston Steel Managing Director, who leapt at the chance to turn Maria's idea into reality.Within days, Richard asked his Operations Director, John Ready, to design and lead on the manufacture of a unique Key Workers bench, with the help of Ripley-based firm, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.thegatemaker.co.uk">The Gate Maker </a>and metal fabricator, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.facebook.com/littleeatonsmithy/">Little Eaton Smithy</a> — both providing their input and expertise for free!The result was stunning on so many levels: a beautiful bench depicting the iconic rainbow that adorned so many homes during the first national lockdown, images of NHS vehicles and a heartfelt message of support all expertly cut out of quality steel — and hand crafted and delivered to Derby Royal Hospital in double quick time.The Key Workers bench made such an impact that it wasn’t long before a number of other hospitals across the region asked if it might be possible to have their own, and Tony Hewitt, Chairman of Eggleston Steel, decided this would be a legacy from the firm. Tony said:<blockquote>“This was a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to gift these pieces of steelwork to hospitals across our region. They are not only practical but a beautiful piece of artwork that allows users of the benches to perhaps remember, in years to come, the sacrifices many of our NHS and key workers gave during this awful period."</blockquote>Richard Hewitt, Eggleston Steel’s Managing Director, added:“It was a privilege to provide a lasting monument to many of the hospitals locally. I really hope the benches allows patients and staff alike to rest and reflect. After helping to get the first one fabricated and painted, it just seemed the right thing to do to provide more of them to our hospitals. I’m proud and grateful that our team here at Eggleston Steel and the wider business community have come together to make this happen."Maria White, who started the original Facebook campaign, reflected:<blockquote>“I feel so proud to have been a small part of this amazing project. Richard, Becky and Tony Hewitt, John Ready, and the team at Eggleston Steel have generously helped to create something wonderful and hopefully a place for many people to sit, reflect and feel peaceful.”&nbsp;</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/newspage.com-staging/company/613/images/bb4b9887f14fc88a51d3cff9a764dbe80432baef34922239319372afc9a27f98fbceb269f235880ea0897a5233d33e98a5efbc00d6e93954637c37a625affb16.jpeg"><figcaption>Back Row L-R = Sarah Hewitt, Jacob Hewitt, Becky Hewitt, Pauline Broadgate; Mid Row L-R = Andrew Hewitt, &nbsp;John Ready ; Front Row L-R &nbsp;Tony Hewitt, Maria White, Richard Hewitt, &nbsp;Anthea Hewitt</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;

Richard Hewitt

Steel firm shows soft side with NHS gifts

Eggleston Steel Ltd is a Derby based steel stockholder which has been established since 1809 and is proud to be one of Derby's oldest family owned companies. We stock, process and supply a wide range of mild steels and non-ferrous metals. Whilst most of our customers are based in the East Midlands, our central location in Derby allows us to provide our services throughout the UK.

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Eggleston Steel LTD

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