Staff and residents from Launchpad’s Avondale House in Byker have stepped in to help a North East woman move furniture after finding out her original removal van was unable to help.
Gillian Haddon from Fenham in Newcastle bought second-hand furniture including two wall units, corner unit wardrobe and a three piece suite, from a seller in Blyth, Northumberland and was desperate to find someone to help her move it to her house.
When Gillian’s friend Ann Rees, who works as a specialist veterans case worker at Launchpad’s Avondale House found out, she asked her manager and some of the residents help her out who were all willing to help.
Gillian visited Avondale House the week before armed with an abundance of cream cakes to meet the residents and to say thank you for the support.
Ann was joined by four veteran residents and assistant manager Andy to collect the furniture in Launchpad’s minibus and help deliver it safely to her home in Fenham.
Gillian, who has multiple disabilities, was over the moon that Launchpad stepped in to help. She said:
“I’m so grateful for such kindness and can’t begin to express how much this has helped me. Everyone worked so hard and were wonderful – I could never pay back what you have all done for me. Thank you for organising everything, I would have struggled with doing this alone and you have all taken the stress out of moving the furniture and made me a very happy person.”
Ann added:
“I’ve known Gillian for 21 years and we started working together back in 2003. When she told me about her predicament, I asked Andy if this was something we could support her with and ask some of the guys here at the house to help move the heavy furniture. The response from the residents overwhelmed me with their willingness to help and all said yes without hesitation. I am very proud of each and every person who donated their time to help support a wonderful person in her hour of need.
“It was a team effort and I’m just glad we were able to help. It was nice for the guys to get out into the community and volunteer to do a good deed, so well done to those who helped.”
Gillian invited them all to enjoy a lovely buffet afterwards to show her appreciation for all the hard work.
