The recipient is always a cause nominated by employees of the company and this year, following four very moving testimonials, the directors boosted the fund to £1,600 in order to share it four ways.

The charities to benefit are The North West Air Ambulance, The Christie Hospital, The Bone Cancer Research Trust and The Churchill Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Managing Director, Gareth Russell said: “There was no way to distinguish between these charities and what their efforts mean to the families of those who made the nominations.

“It was very brave of everyone to share these stories and to highlight to their colleagues all of the incredible work being done by these charities. No one could consider choosing between them, especially when they have done so much for our staff on a personal level, so we’re pleased to bend the rules a little to see the fund shared four ways.”

North West Air Ambulance

Gary Gardner, Russell's head of building services, nominated the North West Air Ambulance which saved the life of his brother Robert in June after an horrific accident with a chainsaw.

He said: “Those blue and yellow helicopters receive no funding from the NHS and no funding from the Government, yet have flown 2,729 missions so far this year, that’s around eight a day, and need over £9.5m a year in donations to provide rapid live saving care.

“Since 2019 the NWAA has carried blood on board their helicopters, this costs the charity £60,000 per year but is a crucial additional level of pre-hospital treatment which has enabled crews to save the lives of the most critically unwell patients.

“Without them, and without the blood, it is without doubt I would have lost my brother to this horrific accident. He lost 60% of his blood but thankfully the rapid deployment of the NWAA and the available blood onboard saved him life.

“The charity is 100% reliant on donations and it’s so important that we support them so they can be there for us in a life-threatening situation.”

NWAA: Robert Gardner’s story

The Christie, Manchester

Russell LDP planning manager Tom Relph nominated The Christie, Manchester’s specialist cancer treatment and research centre, in honour of his father Mark Relph.

Tom said: “In Oct 2020 my dad was diagnosed with prostate and bowel cancer and required emergency treatment and chemotherapy. Despite being in the middle of COVID the Christie still provided him with the greatest of care. They never cancelled appointments, saw him immediately, and pretty much saved his life.

“He had complications during the surgery which meant he was in the ICU for long periods when my mum, brother and I couldn’t see him, but staff from the Christie would call Mum every couple of hours with updates. He was then in and out of the Christie for further treatments and surgery over the following nine months.

“The head consultant and surgeon, all of the ICU and main ward nurses were amazing. Thanks to all of their hard work, my Dad is still with us, the Cancer has gone, he is in remission and enjoying being a Grandpa for the first time.”

The Bone Cancer Research Trust

Leo Frechou, Russells head of environmental and ISO, nominated the Bone Cancer Research Trust as part of his family’s fundraising efforts for Abigail’s Ambition set up by his daughter following her diagnosis.

Leo said: “Abigail was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma (bone cancer) in her right pelvis in June 2019, she was just nine years old. In March 2020 she completed her treatment with clear scans and is still doing well.

“Abigail wanted to help other people and their families dealing with bone cancer so we set up Abigail’s Ambition to support the BCRT to help support their research into kinder treatment methods. As Abigail says, some of her chemotherapy was developed before man landed on the moon!

“We’re also only now finding out what this brutal treatment has done to Abigail and the lasting effects which have changed her life forever. The BCRT has been brilliant in supporting our family during my daughter’s treatment.”

The Churchill Unit, Bolton

Ted Burke, site manager on Russell WBHO’s Municipal Buildings project in Liverpool nominated The Churchill Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital for the treatment, care and support it provided his wife with this year.

An offshoot of The Christie, the unit provides specialist cancer care in the community for local people.

Ted said: “It is a small unit associated with Christie’s which provide treatment for Cancer patients.

“This Churchill Unit was instrumental with caring for my wife while she received chemotherapy treatment.

“The staff were amazing, they would be an asset to any organisation not just with the treatment but the aftercare and supporting my wife’s mental health during this traumatic time.”

The Bolton News: How the Churchill Unit helps Bolton cancer patients