Permaroof announces support for charity close to its heart

THE UK’s leading importer and distributor of Firestone RubberCover Permaroof have announced Heart Link as its corporate charity after it provided lifesaving heart surgery to managing director Adrian Buttress’ granddaughter just days after she was born.

River Mai Bishop was born on 7 July 2019; just eight days later she had a major seven-and-a-half-hour operation at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, to enlarge her heart. Adrian and his family received extensive support from Heart Link, making Permaroof’s decision to name them the company’s first official charity even more special.

Permaroof, which has its head office in Alfreton, Derbyshire, has kickstarted its backing of Heart Link by donating £2,000. The company will be supporting the charity in 2020 through various staff events and by donating all funds generated by recycling excess packaging in its new specially purchased compacter.

Adrian said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the work of Heart Link over the next 12 months. It’s important that we back local causes that make a real difference to the lives of others. I know all too well how vital Heart Link’s work is as the charity supported me and my family when my granddaughter was fighting for her life in Glenfield Hospital.”

Gill Smart, who founded Heart Link after her daughter, Amanda, required heart surgery just two days after being born, said: “Glenfield Hospital, or Groby Road as it was known back then, offered no parent accommodation so my husband, Geoff, either slept on the floor or on two chairs that had been pushed together. We set out with the aim of helping one family, so for Heart Link to have grown as it has is fantastic. We don’t receive any government funding, so rely entirely on the generosity of the general public and businesses to help us survive.

“We cannot thank Adrian and the team at Permaroof enough for making us their chosen charity for 2020. The funds they raise will enable us to continue improving the facilities at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre for young patients and their families.”

For more information on Permaroof UK, please visit www.permaroof.co.uk or call 01773 608839