Inco Contracts smash fundraising target with delivery of 1100 ‘chemo comfort bags’ to Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

The principal contractor, which has its headquarters in Cannock, pledged to support cancer patients in the Midlands as its charity of the year and has successfully generated over £20,000 through a series of golf days, a ‘Miles in March’ competition and a one-off £4000 donation from integrated healthcare specialist Phoenix Medical Supplies.

Staff are now busily filling the hypoallergenic bags with contents to assist patients while undergoing their chemotherapy journey, including wet wipes, lavender oil, tissues, activity books, a handheld fan, lip balm, colouring pencils and, following a local campaign, different coloured knitted hearts made by craft groups in the area.

Inco Contracts will also hand over more than 1000 radiotherapy water bottles as part of its campaign, doubling the number they were looking to deliver when they started the drive.

West Midlands Contracts Manager Tim Lewis, who has undergone his own cancer journey, commented: “There has been a fantastic response to this year’s charity drive, with every single member of staff and many companies in our supply chain getting behind it. After all, nearly every person in the UK will know someone who has experienced a battle with cancer.

“Having successfully gone through chemotherapy myself, I know how important the ‘chemo comfort bags’ are to you – it’s the little things that make a big difference and we have raised enough money to ensure 1100 people get one!”

He continued: “A massive thank you to everyone who gave money and their time, especially to Phoenix Medical Supplies, who has given us £4000. That is the single largest donation this year.

“The ‘knit a heart’ campaign also proved what a fantastic group of local crafters we have. Albrighton Craft Group, Brewood Women’s Institute and Wednesfield in Bloom played a huge role, with the latter knitting 200 hearts on her own!”

Nigel Swift, Phoenix UK’s Deputy Chief Executive, added his support: “This is a cause very close to my own heart and fits perfectly with the company’s desire to support the good causes and local communities we operate in.

“We were delighted to have made our contribution and helped Inco Contracts smash its targets on chemo comfort bags and radiotherapy water bottles. The difference these will make is huge.”

Inco Contracts is not stopping there and has added its name to the refurbishment of the children’s garden at New Cross Hospital.

The £35,000 project will bring a tired space back to life with a full redecoration, the build of a large pergola, installation of festoon lights and an outdoor cinema projection screen to provide much-needed outdoor entertainment for poorly children.

Tim continued: “Working with our supply chain partners, we’ve agreed to provide all the painting and electrics for the lights and cinema for free. Families are going through a very difficult time and this outdoor space can provide some welcome relief and distraction – it was a no brainer for us to take part.”

Amanda Winwood, Charity Development Manager at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity, concluded: “Local businesses play such a big role in helping us improve the experience of patients we are looking after, and this is another fantastic example of that in action.

“Inco Contracts set out an ambitious target at the start of 2024 and not only hit it but actually surpassed it. The ‘chemo comfort bags’ and water bottles are really appreciated by individuals going through some tough times and we can’t wait to start handing them out next year.

“Tim and the company have not stopped there, throwing their weight behind the children’s garden DIY SOS, which will start in earnest in February.”

For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow @incocontracts on Twitter.