An Aldridge family firm came up with a novel way to help families working from home and the NHS at the same time – raising £2,000 in the process.

Allpack Packaging, which is celebrating 25 years in business, developed easy to assemble cardboard desks and chairs during lockdown which proved a real hit.

Managing Director George Clarke explained: “Like many businesses we’ve had to adapt during the pandemic and came up with the idea of creating cardboard desks and chairs for children which our Creative Design Executive Steven Cook brought to life.

“We appreciate that many families have been trying to juggle home schooling with working from home themselves and thought our products helped to bring a fun element to this. Children have been much more willing to sit down and do their work when they’ve been able to help put a desk and chair together themselves. They’ve been so popular that we’ve also developed adult versions and are really proud of these products.

“We pledged to donate £1 from every item sold to NHS Charities as we wanted to show our thanks and support to all of those in the NHS who have supported us at this terrible time. We were thrilled to be able to raise £2,000 and come into Walsall Manor Hospital to hand over the cheque.”

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Chaplaincy Team Leader Joe Fielder and Matron Lead for Quality David Powell were only too pleased to receive the cheque – as well as try out Allpack’s desks and chairs for themselves!

The trust has been successful in securing cash from NHS Charities to refurbish its chapel area and multi-faith room which Joe and David described as “a much-needed boost to an area that has been lacking in TLC for a while.”

The photo shows L-R Natalija Komisarova who is responsible for procurement for Allpack, Joe, George Clarke and David. The company also kindly donated cuddly toys and a couple of desks and chairs to the hospital’s Children’s Ward.