24 May 2023
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Williams Refrigeration has donated £562 raised by its staff to support a Norfolk charity that supports men coping with issues around mental health.
The 8:56 Foundation was founded in 2021 as a response to the suicide of King’s Lynn resident Lee Calton at the age of 37. The foundation takes its name from the time of the train Lee and his friends would catch on a Saturday morning to support his beloved Arsenal. It aims to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma around mental health issues for men, as well as providing support.
Williams Refrigeration is committed to supporting charities and good causes in King’s Lynn and the surrounding area. Its employees nominated the 8:56 Foundation as the target for the company’s latest fundraising at the start of May and the money was raised through contributions from a Coronation Raffle as well as a staff sale.
Alan Colby, a Williams employee, participates regularly in 8:56 fundraising events outside of work, and climbed Mount Snowdon to raise awareness for the charity.
“It’s great that we chose to donate money to the 8:56 Foundation. I think it’s so important to help spread the word that there is support available for men who are struggling.”
"We would like to thank Williams Refrigeration for their kind donation, which will go towards helping our local community,” says Richard Watson of the 8:56 Foundation. “The money will be used to help the foundation continue raising awareness for men's mental health. It will support our Men's Time Projects aimed at reducing the risk of isolation and loneliness, our Talking Therapy providing direct help to people and our #ItsTimeToTalk Campaign, encouraging local Sports Teams and Clubs to talk about Men's Mental Health. The next phase of which will be offering a Mental Health Awareness course to the 30 Teams we currently have signed up."
“The work of the 8:56 Foundation is vitally important,” says Georgina Clark, HR Manager at Williams. “The staff at Williams were really touched by Lee’s story. We were all really pleased to be raising funds to support this charity and the worthwhile work it does in the local area.”
At the presentation were Richard Watson, Matt Oakes and Laura Harrod of the 8:56 Foundation and Carly Wingfield, Martin Laws, Hannah Croft, Georgina Clark, Alan Colby, and Sam Butters from Williams Refrigeration.
