A Burton business which has thrived in the town for almost 25 years has made an impressive pledge as it backs the Burton Mail’s Feed Our Families campaign.
Hardy Signs, which is based in Wetmore Road, has gone above and beyond for this year’s appeal after organising a Burton business breakfast where staff invited local companies to go along, enjoy tea and biscuits and make food donations for the cause to help the less fortunate this Christmas. Managing director Nik Hardy, 48, said its support for the appeal was “going from strength to strength” and this year his team have been blown away by the response after the firm offered to act as a collection point for the appeal.
Mr Hardy, who lives in Bretby, said: “We want to let people know that Hardy Signs is here to help the local community; it is where we built the company and we feel as if we have a social responsibility to give something back. Our roots and employees are in Burton and we are at the forefront so it is important we take notice of what is going on in our town and help when we can and it will be families in Burton that are benefitting from this fantastic campaign”.
“Last year was a real success and it is very important we use this campaign to support these four great charities and give back to the community, particularly at this time of year when people need it most”.
Mr Hardy, who had his eyes opened to the plight of the less fortunate at a recent trip to Burton’s YMCA, said he has seen first-hand those helped by people’s generosity.
He said: “It is quite a humbling experience and I think there is no reason to not to support the appeal. This year we decided to reach out to our contacts and do something a bit different to source donations. We know that the more companies that get involved, the bigger difference it will make and you only have to look at the number of donations people put in just to see how worthy a cause is. “The campaign is going from strength to strength and it gets better every year with so many Burton companies looking to get involved. It is a pleasure to be a part of”.
Mr Hardy said it is very sad that so many are struggling to make ends meet in modern day society. He said: “I think most of us take it for granted that there will be food on the table at Christmas but for some people that is not the case and it is not straightforward. For most, it is merely down to circumstance and anyone can find themselves in a position of need at any time. “When you look around and the business is doing well and others are not having a very good time, it makes you reflect and realise just how lucky we are”.
“Ultimately, whatever people can give they should because if everybody gave a little it would amount to a lot and that is what is needed”.
Attending the business breakfast were staff from Hardy Signs, Crescent Motors, Davies and Scothorn, Plain Design, QEP, Swinton Insurance, Parker and Son Printers, Spotless Cleaning, Fitness for Ladies Gym and Burton’s YMCA. Feed Our Families is a campaign run by the Burton Mail to help local food banks feed families in Burton and South Derbyshire who may have fallen on hard times in the run-up to the festive period. The campaign, which is in its fourth year, will be sharing all items donated between the South Derbyshire CVS, The Eaton Foundation, The Salvation Army in Burton and Burton’s branch of the YMCA.
Visit www.burtonmail.co.uk/feedourfamilies for information on how you can get donate – or call Hardy Signs on 01283 569102.
