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Treetops Chief Executive Julie Heath holding cheque

A Derbyshire company has made donations to two local charities - including Treetops Hospice Care - despite the cancellation of its fundraising events due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Staff at Lubrizol, in Hazelwood, had planned to help raise money for Treetops, in Risley, which cares for adults with life limiting conditions, and their families, living in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Although the events can no longer go ahead the company is donating £500 to support the hospice, after warnings that its funding has been drastically reduced by COVID-19.

Staff at the hospice, which is an independent charity, estimate the loss in funding could be as great as £1.4million pounds, which will drastically reduce its ability to support families.

Lubrizol has had a long association with Treetops, the firm is a member of its Business Club and a group of staff previously spent a day as volunteer gardeners in its grounds.

Donations from businesses such as Lubrizol are incredibly important to us

Julie Heath, Treetops chief executive:

“We want to say many thanks to Lubrizol for their kind donation towards our Emergency Appeal. We know how disappointed they are to not roll out their fundraising plans this year and we’re very grateful that they are still thinking of us during these challenging times.

“Our patients need our support now more than ever and we have adapted our services to ensure we can still deliver vital end-of-life nursing care and emotional support.

“Donations from businesses such as Lubrizol, and the local community, are incredibly important to us, especially as we face a huge loss of income due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Thank you so much!”

Staff at Lubrizol are prolific fundraisers. Last year they donated £10,515 to the British Heart Foundation as well as a further £11,000 to schools, charities, sporting clubs and community groups.

Pledging further support

Rachel Ollier, from Lubrizol’s Charities and Community Committee, said:

“Lubrizol has had a long association with both Treetops and Sight Support for many years and we were extremely disappointed that our fundraising plans had to be postponed.

“Both charities provide invaluable services to our community and it is troubling that the current lockdown means invaluable funding has been significantly reduced for both good causes.

“I have no doubt that as soon as Lubrizol staff are able to resume their normal fundraising activities, they will be pledging further support to Treetops and Derbyshire Sight Support.”