“It’s important for local businesses to give back – especially to such a worthwhile cause.”

For a number of years, Drainage 2000 has supported a local Chesterfield family in its fundraising efforts for The Sick Children’s Trust. Founder of Drainage 2000, Andy Moreton, attended the Leverton Ball, organised by Marcus Leverton in 2016. This was the seventh year that Marcus had organised a black-tie event for the charity, raising thousands of pounds every year.

At the event in 2016, Marcus emphasised why every year he spends months and months organising the Leverton Ball, which in recent years has become a bi-annual event, which encouraged Andy to support the event in the following years.

Marcus and his wife, Laura, received support from the charity, which runs free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital, when their son Harry suddenly fell ill and was rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Amongst all the uncertainty, The Sick Children’s Trust relieved one of their stresses by giving them a place to stay, just minutes from their son’s hospital bedside, at its Treetop House.

For the last ten years, Marcus and his family have been determined to raise over £200,000 for The Sick Children’s Trust so that other families who find themselves in a similar situation have a place to stay close to their child.

Every year since 2016, Drainage 2000 has made a substantial donation by sponsoring the Leverton Balls alongside sourcing raffle prizes for the auctions. Andy Moreton said:

“The Sick Children’s Trust is a charity incredibly close to our hearts. Not only have we heard about the invaluable support provided to Marcus and his family, the charity has also given our Office Manager, Lucy Pearson, a ‘Home from Home’ when her son required emergency treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

“It’s important for local businesses to give back – especially to such a worthwhile cause which is helping local families in a time when their lives are so difficult. To have met two families from the area that have talked passionately about how much the free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation has meant to them makes us realise the importance of our donation and support. We would encourage other business to get behind The Sick Children’s Trust or those in the community supporting it.”

The money raised by the Leverton Ball so far is enough to provide over 6,500 nights of ‘Home from Home’ accommodation to families with seriously ill children in hospital. Support from companies, such as Drainage 2000, makes a huge difference to charity events such as the Leverton Ball. He said:

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Andy, his family and everyone at Drainage 2000 for supporting the Leverton Balls. The yearly donations of £5,000 alongside raffle prizes has really helped to make a difference with the events. Not only does Andy’s company donate to the ball, but on the evenings he and his daughter Amelia help out by arriving early to set up and sell raffle tickets.

“It really means a lot to us to have such support from a local business. Before the events take place, I often have to pay out over £1,000 in deposits for the room hire, entertainment and all the other bits that come together to make the night a success – which is a big risk. With support from Drainage 2000, financial burden is lifted somewhat and allows me to focus on selling tickets and ensuring that the evening raises as much money as possible!”