Gary and Carole Allen from Express Linen in front of the Cloak of Poppies in Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s main entrance
A BLACKPOOL firm has donated a prime advertising spot to highlight a Remembrance campaign.
Express Linen, situated on Brunel Way, offered their pre-booked advertising time on a digi-vehicle, to feature a slide show of the Cloak of Poppies memorial based in the main entrance of Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
The firm, owned by the Bruce family since 1927, wanted to support Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s Remembrance campaign of which they are one of the sponsors.
Express Linen senior managers Gary and Carole Allan have been working with the Trust for seven years.
Gary said: “We are proud to be part of this campaign to honour all those killed or injured in armed conflict over the past 100 years.
“We decided to donate our advertising slot with the PinPoint Media digi-van that drives along the promenade each evening, to show how proud we are to be involved.
“In fact, when we suggested this to PinPoint Media’s owner, Darren Spedding, he decided to run the Remembrance slideshow alongside our booked advertisement anyway.”
Express Linen Hire Specialists supply a Linen Hire service processing around 3.5 million items per year for the Trust. These include all bed linen and theatre wear.
Carole said: “Most of our 140 members of staff have a connection with someone who has fought in armed conflict and as 84% of our staff were born at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, we feel a real passion for the cause.”
Associate Director of Facilities at the Trust, Nigel Fort, said: “It’s wonderful to see our local contractors supporting our campaign. They have all gone over and above to make sure that our Cloak of Poppies memorial was made to such high standards.
“Huge thanks go to Express Linen, PinPoint Media and all the other sponsors who have given their time and efforts to remember all those who sacrificed so much.”
The digi-vehicle will driving along Blackpool Promenade from Thursday until Sunday and will also be at the firework display at Fleetwood Town Football Club on Friday, November 2.
The vehicle will be on display for the Remembrance service, which starts outside the main entrance of Blackpool Victoria Hospital on November 9 between 10am and 12 noon.
The Remembrance service will be held next to the Cloak of Poppies memorial in the main entrance from 10.30am.
*Poppy donators are invited to come along at 9.45am for coffee and cake before being escorted to the service.