A St Neots businessman is launching a fundraising campaign today (August 30) in memory of a close friendship he made when diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
When John Woods, the owner of St Neots Windows and Conservatories, found out he had the condition he met Lee Taylor who was also living with the disease.
Lee sadly passed away earlier this year, but many were inspired by his positivity for life and drive to fundraise thousands of pounds for the charities supporting him.
And John is certainly among those Lee inspired.
From today, John's company is very generously donating £10 from every ‘supply and install’ contract for windows, doors and conservatories to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.
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John said: “Lee and I had such a special bond, his positivity was amazing and I learned so much about coping with Motor Neurone Disease from him.
“On the last day we were together all Lee wanted to do was sit next to me and hold my hand.
"I know he would want me to keep going, be positive and continue his fundraising legacy.”
John founded St Neots Windows and Conservatories 26 years ago and the business is based in Little End Road, Eaton Socon.
He trained as a carpenter when he left school and gained 14 years of experience with his father as a window fabricator and installer.
John's business began in a small industrial unit with one team of installers and has grown to become one of the area’s most well-known family firms.
It now has five teams of installers, a trade counter, and customers can browse its stylish showrooms and conservatories at their own leisure.
Following his diagnosis, John's long-serving employees Michael Gulliver and Ruth Sadler have become partners and the firm continues to grow.
John’s wife Tracey said: “Since John was diagnosed in 2021, everyone has been so kind and supportive allowing John to work around his illness.
“I am so pleased St Neots Windows is doing so well and that our partners have kindly supported John’s fundraising idea.
“It’s great for the company to give back to the local community it has served for many years.”
The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people across Cambridgeshire living with life-limiting illnesses or in need of end-of-life care.
Their Cambridge hospice also hosts the Addenbrooke’s Hospital MND Clinic, which John and Lee both benefitted from immensely.
It also runs a Living Well Service which helps people live as independently as possible if they have a life-limiting illness.
Fundraising is now close to John’s heart and he has helped raise almost £30,000 for charities so far.
His friend Adrian Smith organised a charity walk around Grafham Water that raised £6,500 as well as a band night that collected £2,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).
Lee passed away just days after presenting cheques for the £20,800 raised at a charity ball he hosted with John at The Priory Centre, in St Neots.
The monies raised from the night were shared equally between MNDA and the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.
And the successful run of fundraising is only set to continue with this new campaign offer now available with St Neots Windows.
To find out more about the charity offer St Neots Windows is launching today, visit PXX .
St Neots Windows is based at 1 Little End Rd, Eaton Socon, Saint Neots PE19 8JH.
The showroom is open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Visit www.stneotswindows.co.uk, call 01480 407711 or email reception@stneotswindows.co.uk for more information.
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