John Langford will never forget the “total dedication” of the nurses who cared for his dad Terry during his final days at St Ann’s Hospice in Little Hulton.
“They were fantastic, brilliant really,” said John. “Whether it was as simple as a bit of tea and toast he fancied or administering a drip or giving him some medicine, the care he received was first class.”
So when Betfred boss Fred Done asked John to repair the leaking roof at the centre, John, who runs Swinton-based Langford Roofing Ltd replied: “When do I start? This will be a labour of love.”
Also on the job managed by John which will get under way next month (September) will be electrical contractor Terry’s grandson Lewis, aged 18. Terry, from Swinton, died 13 years ago.
John added: “Like Fred my family and friends are all from Salford. The vast majority of Salford people know all about the work of the hospice. My dad was in St Ann’s for four weeks before he died aged 67. He and his family could not have wished for better care.
“The roof repairs need carrying out asap and certainly before the winter. All roof tiles become porous in time but thanks to Fred’s funding we should get a third of the 21,000 tiles replaced over the next four to five weeks making the whole building watertight.”
With patients across three St Ann’s Hospice sites, including the one at Little Hulton, needing round the clock in-patient and day therapy care from around 400 staff and up to 800 volunteers, St Ann’s needs to raise £16,000 every day to keep the doors open.
Provision had been made for roof repairs but bookie Fred’s £50,000 donation means the work can be carried out immediately with more money left for other work inside the complex.
The hospice’s Director of Income Generation and Communications, Alison Gilbody, said: “We’re so enormously grateful to Fred, and to John and Lewis too. Without their incredibly generous support we wouldn’t be able to care for local people like John’s dad. The repairs on the roof will make a huge difference, especially as winter approaches, so a big thank you from all of the patients, staff and volunteers here at the hospice.”
Millionaire Fred said: “My heart has always been in my home city where we opened our first shop. I feel privileged to be in the position to help.”
John (left) and Lewis with Alison Gilbody, Director of Income Generation and Communications at St Ann’s Hospice.
