Construction firm donates award cash to charity
by business editor Trevor
Sturgess
A construction firm won £2,000 for
winning a top award, and promptly gave the money to charity.
Livis, named Dartford and Gravesham
Business of the Year at a glittering gala dinner in the Acacia
Ballroom, Dartford, surprised guests by donating its prize money to
the Ellenor Lions Hospice.
Director John Fullagar said he was
delighted with the award but the people helped by the charity
deserved the money more.
He said: "It's a local charity,
it’s money we wouldn’t have had if we were not here tonight or for
the good people who voted for us. So it will do more good for the
hospice than us."
Dartford-based Livis has defied the
recession to win contracts from Blue Chip clients such as Transport
for London, London Underground, Balfour Beatty, Costain and Network
Rail.
Mr Fullagar paid tribute to his
team. "The special thing about us is our staff. They work very hard
and are our reputation. We are nothing without them. We engage with
all our staff and try to make a happy family."
Sprint Engineering and Lubricants
was named Gravesham Business of the Year, winning £1,000. The
Dartford Business of the Year Award went to Dimples Day Nursery,
Darenth (£1,000), while a special environment award went to
Broadditch Farm, Southfleet (£500). Best Newcomer Award (£500) went
to tea specialists Blends for Friends, of Eynsford.
Sylvia Meade, chairman of the awards, said: "It was a very good
evening with such a variety of first class companies from across
Dartford and Gravesham. They had all worked very hard to gain their
recognition as being both areas’ best in business."
Monday, June 15 2009