There’s not much positive news to share about the impact of Covid-19. But in a way, the impact of coronavirus is indirectly responsible for us being able to increase our Christmas charitable donation.

Every year, members of our staff select a worthy charitable cause, and we make a donation on behalf of everyone at Magnet Schultz Ltd to help spread the festive cheer. This year, the many constraints imposed by Covid-19 mean changes to the festivities. We are not able to hold our usual staff Christmas party, for instance. Instead, we decided to pass on the savings and are thrilled to be able to make a larger donation. It is a small silver lining.

Again, our staff unanimously chose the Woking & Sam Beare Hospice located at the Goldsworth Park Centre, just down the road from our HQ and manufacturing centre in Old Woking. The specialist palliative care provided to around 2,000 patients with advanced life-threatening conditions every year has been needed more than ever in 2020. It’s no surprise to learn that the challenge has been further compounded by the difficulties of social distancing and restrictions on visits by family members. The Hospice also supports the carers and families of patients too – a generous service that has proved even more valuable through this difficult year.

In addition, the hospice has not been able to benefit from many of its usual sources of funding as coronavirus has put a dampener on activities such as sponsored events, fetes and quizzes. That’s had an effect, so we are even more delighted to support the commendable work at the Hospice this Christmas.