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Product returns and a bright idea have combined to help Portmeirion raise an impressive £1,850 for local charity The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice.
The returned products, along with production samples, which cannot be sold to the public, are offered to Portmeirion’s staff at special sales that take place during morning breaks and lunch times a number of times a year. Funds raised will now go to the hospice, based in Stoke-on-Trent, which provides a range of specialist care and support services for children with a shortened life expectancy.
The organiser and inspiration behind the money-raising idea is Portmeirion employee Margaret Beckett, assisted by Margaret Scott who, although now retired, returns to the factory occasionally to lend a hand.
Said Portmeirion managing director Michael Haynes: “I’m so proud to give credit where it’s due, Margaret Becket and Margaret Scott have done a great job and I was delighted when they asked me to present the cheque to Christina from The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice. We were very happy to give our permission for returns and samples to be sold for charity, and by the amount of money raised we can see that our staff also embraced the concept wholeheartedly.”
He added: “Not only are we benefiting a very, very worthwhile cause, selling these samples and returns helps us reduce waste too – well done to everyone involved.”
The hospice’s Christina Hunter-Jones described the initiative as “a really innovative way to raise money”. She said it would go towards the centre’s annual £2.4m running costs.
