FAMILY HEATING & PLUMBING FIRM COLLECTING CHRISTMAS DONATIONS FOR WILTSHIRE CHARITY

The team from John Williams Heating Services Ltd in Chippenham are collecting donations for Wiltshire charity, the Doorway Project, over the next few weeks, to help with the demand for their services over the Christmas period.

The Chippenham based firm, which employs 26 people at the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate, has experienced impressive growth and expansion over the last few years and the company’s co-founder, Debbie Williams, says they are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile cause over the festive period. 

“We have an amazing local community here and we’re keen to do what we can to give back, especially at a time of year that, while lovely for some, is a real struggle for others,” says Debbie. “We don’t want anyone to feel alone, so being able to use our premises and resources to support the Doorway Project’s initiative just makes sense.”

The Doorway Project, which will be celebrating its 20-year anniversary next year, has been supporting homeless, socially-isolated and vulnerable people in Chippenham and the wider Wiltshire area since 2004. 

As well as emergency assistance, the charity provides longer-term, practical help to improve people’s lives so they can escape difficult circumstances and move on to more rewarding lives in healthy and productive ways. The organisation is run by 10 trustees, 7 members of staff and a team of more than 50 volunteers and is a lifeline for people in Wiltshire experiencing challenging times. 87% of people helped by the Doorway Project come from the Chippenham area.

Jo Kitching, CEO of Doorway Wiltshire, said they rely on local businesses to help, especially at such as challenging time of year.

“We’re really grateful to John Williams Heating Services for donating to Doorway’s Christmas Challenge this year. We’re seeing many more people becoming homeless due to the continuing cost of living crisis and rise in no fault evictions. We would not be able to do our important work without the help of local businesses who truly understand the issues facing our guests at the moment and are willing to put their hands in their pockets to enable us to provide practical support to people experiencing homelessness in all its forms.”

The team at John Williams Heating Services are keen to receive donations on behalf of the charity and Debbie says they’re asking for the following items:

• Chocolate treats (no liqueur or alcohol-based confectionary).
• Biscuit selections and sweet packs (no cakes or mince pies).
• Small (alcohol-free) Christmas puddings.
• Toiletries: shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, roll-on deodorant (no aerosols), lip balm, hand cream, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
• Hairbrushes.
• Pants and vests. These should be new and for men and women. No bras. 
• Socks.
• Gloves
• Hats
• Women’s leggings.
• Diaries.

John and Debbie Williams started John Williams Heating Services Ltd from their home 19 years ago. When the company expanded rapidly, Debbie moved into the business full-time, and they now occupy three units on the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate. Debbie and John both say that one of the things that brings them the most satisfaction about their growth is the contribution it makes to the local economy and the community. 

“We’re dedicated to the Chippenham area and the community as a whole,” says Debbie, “and we’re thrilled that the more we grow, the more we’re able to give back. We’re keen to get as many donations as we can for the Doorway Project, whose services are in such demand at the moment because of the cost of living crisis and the challenging time of year, and we’re really grateful to anyone who is able to contribute.”

Anyone wishing to donate through Debbie should drop off their contribution at John Williams Heating Services Ltd on the Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate in Chippenham by midday on Monday 11th December.