Door Industry Journal - Winter 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk garage doors 58 THE door industry journal winter 2014 HAVING A BALL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER Darren Baker, joint MD at roller door manufacturer AlluGuard, has once again made a massive contribution to the Weston Park Cancer Hospital in Sheffield, thanks to the latest incarnation of the star-studded Weston Park Charity Ball. Established in 2006, the annual ball is the brainchild of Darren and his wife Gail who arranged the first ever event in memory of Darren’s father, John, who spent the last days of his battle against stomach cancer at Weston Park. Just six weeks after John passed away, Darren’s wife Gail threw a surprise party for his 40th birthday. Rather than bringing gifts, she asked guests to make a donation to Weston Park, an idea that eventually raised over £1000. The Weston Park Charity Ball was born from that party and the first ever event attracted a guest list of 150, a number that has grown steadily over the years. The 2014 event boasted more than 900 guests, who were entertained by acts including 80s pop legends Bucks Fizz and award-wining comedian Dave Spikey of Phoenix Nights fame. In total, the Weston Park Charity Ball has raised over £300,000 for the hospital over the years, which is helping to ensure its vital work can continue. The Sheffield hospital is one of only four dedicated cancer hospitals in the UK and has a global reputation as a centre of excellence for cancer research, treatment and care. Patients travel from all over the country, and even from abroad, in order to receive the specialist cancer services for which Weston Park is rightly renowned. Darren and Gail are now patrons of the Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and are the organisation’s biggest fundraisers thanks to the success of the ball. Amongst this year’s guests was Door Industry Journal editor Derek Hibbart, who offers the following verdict on the evening: “This year’s Weston Park Charity Ball was a fantastic event,” he says. “Everything from the food to the venue to the entertainment was absolutely first class and knowing that all proceeds were going to such a good cause made it even better. I’m already looking forward to next year!” Adds Darren Baker: “Each year we try to go one better with the charity ball and this was no exception – it was a resounding success and people have been incredibly generous with both their time and their money. I am very proud that we have raised such a significant sum for Weston Park.” ALLUGUARD INTRODUCES CHARTWELL GREEN TO THE ROLLER DOOR SECTOR AlluGuard is once again leading the way in the roller door sector with the introduction of two new door colours – Ruby Red and Chartwell Green. Chartwell Green is similar to British Racing Green, but slightly lighter, and takes its name from Chartwell, Winston Churchill’s home in the Weald of Kent. The great man popularised the colour after insisting that all garden furniture in the grounds of the magnificent house be painted in this beautiful shade of green. AlluGuard is the first roller door manufacturer in the UK to offer the colour and, as joint MD Gary Brooks explains, the addition is designed to boost trade for the firm’s customer base of installers. “Chartwell Green is a very popular colour for exteriors – you only have to take a walk and see all the doors and window frames painted in this shade to realise that,” says Gary. “It seemed ridiculous to us that you couldn’t buy a roller garage door in Chartwell Green so we decided to do something about it and introduce both this, and Ruby Red – another popular colour – into our roller door range. These new additions give our clients an extra selling point, as the sheer popularity of Chartwell Green means there are a lot of consumers out there eager to buy a door in this colour.” Image: © TravellingEye / Dollar Photo Club