‘Big-hearted’ hospice project

Big-hearted Unite members are making a donation of nearly ÂŁ1m to the launch of the Compton Hospice Community hub project extension in Wolverhampton.

The money will come from the former 5/344 Transport and General Workers (TGWU) Sick and Distress Fund which is being wound up as tyre manufacturer Goodyear gets set to close the doors on its only UK manufacturing operation next month.

The money was built up since 1985 as the employer Goodyear paid into the fund which is based on a Scandinavian model of trade union welfare provision.

Members of the media are invited to attend a press conference announcing the funding by members of Unite’s Goodyear Wolverhampton branch at Compton Hospice at 10am today (November 25).

The project will see a substantial regeneration of the hospice’s facilities, as well as the development of a purpose-built community hub.

 
“This is a very generous gesture by our members working at Goodyear, who have a wonderful record of fundraising for other good causes in the West Midlands,” said Unite West Midlands regional secretary Gerard Coyne.

“The fund, which has been running for 31 years, represents the very best ideals of what trade unionism in the UK stands for – and will continue to do so in these difficult and challenging times.”

“We are so incredibly grateful to members of the 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Branch for their incredibly generous donation, which is one of the largest in Compton’s history,” said chief executive of Compton Hospice Claire Marshall. “This project will ensure the legacy of their great work lives on through Compton Hospice.”

“It is poignant that a scheme set up by the trade union, that helped to support members in times of illness, will now be utilised by Compton hospice to continue to support those with incurable illnesses across Wolverhampton.

“It has been a long held ambition to bring all of our services together to allow central co-ordination and create a more efficient and responsive service for our patients and their families.

“Building a new community hub will also allow us to carry out much needed updates and repairs to areas of our Grade II listed buildings that have sadly crumbled and weathered over the years.

“We have a beautiful design for the 5/344 Transport & General Workers Union branch building which, subject to being granted planning permission, will bring this project to life ensuring this modern facility marries in tastefully with our beautiful traditional building.

“This is a significant and costly exercise which would not have been possible were it not for this incredibly generous donation from Unite members.”

Compton Hospice’s website said it is “a Wolverhampton-based charity who has been supporting patients facing a life-limiting illness, and their families, for over 30 years.

“Our services are available free-of-charge to people in Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, South Staffordshire and East Shropshire.”

Pic is artist’s impression.