Construction firm marks 40th anniversary by supporting mental health and hospital charities

MGF, a nationwide firm which is based in Ashton, is celebrating 40 years in business this month.

And to celebrate the landmark, the firm is running a campaign to raise money and awareness for local charities.

Each of MGF’s 10 shoring depots has chosen a charity that is close to their team’s heart.

For many reasons, there have been charities chosen that have supported staff members through difficult times.

Over the duration of 12 months, one standard trench box from each depot will be sprayed black and branded with the relevant charity’s logo, where it will advertise and raise awareness for the charity while on sites across the region.

MGF will be donating the proceeds of each box to the charity that the depot has chosen, to support and give back to the local organisations that provide support to so many people.

Colleagues at the Astley depot have chosen Papyrus, a young suicide prevention charity, and the Whiston and St Helens Hospitals’ charity as their benefactors.

They explained why their chosen causes were so close to their hearts.

Louise Dexter, hire desk controller, said: “After losing a member of our depot team eight years ago and then my second cousin two years later, both to suicide, Papyrus has always been a charity that my family and the depot has supported.

“Their efforts in preventing suicides by young people are extremely commendable, through raising awareness and speaking openly about the subject, to providing support to people struggling with thoughts of suicide.

“We are so glad to be able to raise some money and awareness to allow them to continue providing their incredible support.”

Antony Birchall from MGF’s technical sales team, lost his wife Annette to breast cancer in 2018.

Before her death, she was cared for at the Lilac Centre, part of the Whiston and St Helens set up.

Antony said: “it is great to see MGFs continued support for the charity that is close to my heart.

“The Lilac Centre is part of St Helens and Whiston Hospitals that cared for Annette throughout her chemotherapy treatment, the staff are amazing and make you feel so welcome in such tough circumstances.

“All money raised will go towards new equipment like the cold cap machine, that minimises hair loss through such intense treatment.”

Neil Price, commercial manager, said: “I’m so proud to be able to support these two great charities with our black box campaign.

“It’s a great incentive for the sales team to speak to their customers and get the box on hire – raising both money and awareness for charities that mean so much to the team.

“MGF are running this campaign across the UK with 10 depots all donating their black box proceeds to their chosen charity.

“We are hoping it will make a huge difference to those that need it.”

To find out more about the campaign, visit www.mgf.co.uk/black-boxes.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.