Charity begins at home, the old proverb goes, and at Flying Spares we keep that tradition alive via our support for Doorway – an amazing local charity based in Nuneaton, just down the road from our Market Bosworth headquarters.

Dedicated to the needs of young people in the West Midlands, Doorway provides advice and accommodation for those aged 16-25 who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or living in temporary accommodation.

 

 

As Keith Bullock, Chair of Flying Spares’ Employee Ownership Council, explains: “Flying Spares founders Ben and Lucy Handford always supported local charities, and when we moved to Employee Ownership in 2020 we were keen to carry that on.

“We canvassed opinion across all departments and the clear preference was to support Doorway. For a small organisation they do incredible work across Warwickshire and beyond. We raised a four-figure sum for them in 2022 and aim to better that this year.

“Everyone at Flying Spares knows that Doorway are our chosen charity, and barely a week goes by when we don’t do something. Last year’s biggest fundraisers included a cake day for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a guess the scores competition for the football World Cup, and a Christmas jumper day and raffle.

“We buy in bulk for our tuck shop, so it’s still cheaper than the shops, and a percentage goes to Doorway. There’s a collection tin in reception, and our staff and their families donate useful second-hand items too, especially clothes. All contributions, large or small, it all helps.”

Tuesday 24th January 2023, then, was a momentous occasion, as senior representatives from Doorway – including CEO Carol Gallagher, Project Worker Carol Haden, and Housing Support Worker, Kevin Harban – visited Flying Spares for the first time.

They got the full tour, with Keith detailing our incredible 30-year journey – from Ben working out of a single portacabin to becoming the world’s largest independent supplier of new, recycled, and reconditioned Rolls-Royce and Bentley parts.

The first stop was the recycling department where Head of recycling Shawn Chattaway who regularly drops off donations to Doorway – introduced the team and got to talk about his passion for recycling and keeping Rolls-Royce and Bentleys on the road.

Vehicle Technician Bradley Stevenson – got to show them around his domain, the Technical Services Division (TSD) workshop, where we test new products and preserve as much original Rolls-Royce and Bentley engineering as possible.

“It was lovely to meet everyone,” said Doorway CEO Carol Gallagher. “We’ve been working with Flying Spares for a couple of years now, and they have been brilliant.

“Their support helps us to provide accommodation for young homeless people, to start to get their lives back on track. We have a contract to deliver housing-related support services, and benefit from grants, but the donations we receive from local companies and individuals are so generous. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

 

For further info, visit the Doorway website - www.doorway.org.uk

L-R on pic taken in Flying Spares reception area: Keith Bullock (Employee Ownership Council Chair, Flying Spares), Bradley Stevenson (Vehicle Technician, Flying Spares), Carol Haden (Project Worker, Doorway), Carol Gallagher (Chief Executive Officer, Doorway) and Kevin Harban (Housing Support Worker, Doorway).