29th September 2009

HERMES AND GORDONS JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT YORKSHIRE CHILDREN'S CANCER CHARITY LITTLE HEROES

Hermes, the Leeds-based home delivery courier company has teamed up with Yorkshire law firm Gordons to donate hundreds of unwanted children's toys to Little Heroes, a regional charity for children with life-threatening cancer-related illnesses. The toys made up a considerable proportion of packages belonging to Woolworths that had been in storage at Hermes' Yorkshire depot since the retailer's administration last year.

Claire Evans, a solicitor in Gordons' business recovery department, was acting on behalf of Hermes when she was made aware of hundreds of parcels at its Yorkshire depot belonging to Woolworths after the company's administration. Earlier this year, Gordons had pledged to support Little Heroes as its chosen charity for the next 12 months, so was selected as an appropriate destination for the toys.

Bradford-based Little Heroes was established by Colin Nesbitt in 2008 after spending over 250 days in one year attending hospital with his four-year-old son, Reece who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer two years' ago. Colin took delivery of 40 pallets of toys from Hermes and is storing them before they are given out to children and their siblings in the cancer ward at St James's Hospital.

Claire Evans commented: "I knew that Little Heroes provided toys each month to children being treated for cancer at St James's Hospital in Leeds. When we established that the toys could not be sold I approached Hermes to see what we could do."

Ian Andrew, Company Secretary and Head of Legal at Hermes, commented: "Little Heroes is an extremely worthy local charity so when Claire approached us with the idea we were more than willing to donate the toys to them. We hope that the toys will bring a level of happiness to the children at St James's Hospital and their siblings during a difficult time."

Colin said: "We are extremely grateful to Claire for being so quick thinking and to Hermes for donating the toys. Since the charity's inception we have had the very clear aim of putting a smile on the face of every child who is receiving treatment for cancer. This particular donation will go a long way to helping us achieving that objective."

Little Heroes initial objective was to provide £1,000 worth of toys every month but its rapid growth means Colin hopes to raise enough money to buy a mini-bus to take the siblings of patients on days out and ultimately build a day care centre.

Gordons has so far raised almost £3,000 for Little Heroes via a variety of fundraising activities undertaken by members of staff including Jane Tomlinson's Run for All, a five-a-side football tournament and dress down days.

For further information on Little Heroes visit www.littleheroes.org.uk or telephone 01274 288188.

Back >