Last week Havens Hospices gratefully accepted a new Ford Transit van from Railscape, a rail industry service provider based in Brook Road Industrial Estate.  

The charity’s van was stolen from the Fair Havens car park in Priory Crescent back in October. After reading an article in the Echo, the company’s Managing Director Michael Hayes generously offered his help to replace it.  

Not only did the company fund the new van but they also arranged for the van to be signed too with the hospice’s distinctive ‘butterfly’ logo.  

The charity’s vans play an important part in the day-to-day running of the hospices and assist the charity in raising vital funds which helps them to provide all its care free of charge to adults and young people across Essex living with complex or incurable conditions. Their vans take vital supplies and equipment like PPE between their two hospices and help transport equipment to their fundraising events.  

After publishing a post on Facebook after the incident, Havens Hospices was overwhelmed with public support and received over £2,500 in donations. These donations will help towards funding another additional van to replace the hospice’s two currently rented vans and covering any other related costs towards the running of their vehicles, saving the charity approximately £4,000 a year.  

Steve McClure, Head of Facilities at Havens Hospices who is in charge of the charity’s buildings and vehicles says: “We can’t thank Michael and everyone Railscape enough for reaching out to us and purchasing this van. Because of their very generous donation we are able to now spend money where it’s needed most – providing essential hospice care to children, adults and their families living with complex or incurable conditions. 

“We also want to thank every single person who showed us kindness and support by making a donation to the cause too – we will ensure this money will go towards covering any related costs associated with running our vehicles and towards a new vehicle, helping us to save money in the future.” 

Michael Hayes, Managing Director of Railscape said: “Now more than ever charities really need our support, being such a tough year already the Railscape team were extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the theft of Havens Hospices’ van.  To help keep the team on the move, providing their much needed care and support,  Railscape Ltd are delighted to have been able to help this great cause by purchasing a brand new vehicle for the Havens Hospices team.  Thank you to Simon at Strypz Vehicle Branding for completing the branding free of charge, and a big thank you to the Havens Hospices team for ‘Making every day count’. 

As a registered charity – not part of the NHS – who receives limited government funding, Havens Hospices relies heavily on the generosity of the public because all its care is free of charge. To find out more information on how to support the charity visit: www.havenshospices.org.uk/support-us.  

To find out more about Railscape Ltd visit www.railscape.com.  

Published 8th December 2020