Wilko Opened by Fulham Hero Bob Barrett
While local children provide music and art at Broadway store
Hammersmith and Fulham's Mayor, Cllr Frances Stainton, was joined by Beef Kitchen founder Bob Barrett in cutting the ribbon and opening Fulham Broadway's newest store, Wilko on December 12.
Bob was invited as guest of honour because of his remarkable work with The Beef Kitchen, which is a familiar site at the entrance to the Oswald Stoll Foundation. The kitchen helps to ease local veterans into employment and is committed to providing hot meals to people at the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, or Stoll, a charity offering rehabilitative support to ex-Service men and women and once helped Bob in a time of need.
The London Oratory School sang traditional carols while pupils from Fulham Primary School came along to drop off an array of colourful Christmas cards, which will be displayed in the store during the festive season.
After the ribbon cutting, Bob was presented with a £250 cheque towards his chosen charity, Stoll, along with a £250 Wilko gift card to spend at the store. H & F Mayor, Cllr Frances Stainton, also received a donation towards her four charitable trusts; Walking With The Wounded, children’s charity, Albert and Friends, local charity, The Opportunity Fund and the Daisy Trust, which supports children in care.
Wilko says the store will support Cancer Research UK as its regional charity of the year, so representatives from the charity ran a Wilko Wheel of Fortune' giving customers the chance to win stocking fillers and presents in exchange for a voluntary donation to the charity. Cancer Research UK representatives were on hand throughout the day to collect donations and share information about the charity with shoppers, by the end of the day, a total of £140.30 was raised for Cancer Research UK.
Local hero Bob said: " I was very honoured to have been nominated as Wilko’s community hero, it was a fantastic day and it was great to meet the team. Stoll will be so grateful for the donation and I look forward to spending my gift card on equipment that can be used at The Beef Kitchen."
December 17, 2013
