Beaverbrooks jewellery chain boss backs East Lancashire Hospice (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Beaverbrooks jewellery chain boss backs East Lancashire Hospice

4:00pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Darwen By Catherine Pye, Health reporter

THE boss of a jewellery chain was so touched by a Darwen teenager’s fundraising efforts that he has committed himself to helping her cause.

Mark Adlestone, managing director of Beaverbrooks, ran with an Olympic torch alongside 16-year-old Caitlin Jones in Liverpool on June 1.

He was told how she has raised over £10,000 for cancer charities since the death of her father from the disease, despite her own disabilities.

Caitlin, of Somerset Avenue, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Goldenhar Syndrome which means she is hearing-impaired, autistic, has special educational needs, asthma and a heart condition.

Elaine Pugh, of Beaverbrooks, said: “On the day, Mark and Caitlin were together in the minibus and when they got chatting, he was very inspired by her story.

“He is keen that from now on, Beaverbrook store managers in the North West will be fundraising for a charity of Caitlin’s choice, which is the East Lancashire Hospice.”

Every year, Beaverbrooks, which has stores in the Trafford Centre, Bolton, Blackpool, Wigan, Warrington and Oldham, donates 20 per cent of its profits to charity.

In the past 10 years, the firm has donated more than £5million, and last year it donated about £500,000 between 300-400 charities chosen by employees including matched donations for personal events such as sponsored marathons.

Sharon Crymble, fundraising manager for the East Lancashire Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Mark saw how inspirational Caitlin has been, and how many people her hard work has helped.”

Tracy Jones, Cailtin’s mum, said: “It’s superb that such a big company has been impressed with Caitlin and wants to help her cause, you can’t beat that. It really rounded off the day.”

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