Priti Patel MP with Secret Hamper Managing Director, Nigel Richardson, examining the contents of one of the company’s specialist hampers
Witham MP learns the secrets of Secret Hamper
When Witham MP Priti Patel heard that local firm, Secret Hamper had been shortlisted for a Small Business Britain ‘Heart of Gold’ award, she immediately wrote to the firm’s MD, Nigel Richardson to congratulate him and to ask for an opportunity to visit and learn more about his business. The visit took place on Friday 19th May when Priti called at their offices in Witham for a chat.
The company specialises in providing a range of hampers for different markets which include bespoke hampers, student hampers, corporate hampers and helping hampers (aimed at elderly people and anyone who just needs a helping hand). The company won its nomination for a ‘Heart of Gold’ award for its not-for-profit #ThankyouNHS hamper initiative which invites businesses and individuals, including celebrities throughout the UK to help recognise and celebrate 70 years of the NHS by sponsoring the delivery of bespoke hampers to hospitals, as a big thank you for the life-saving work done in our hospitals, each and every day.
More than 750 hampers have been delivered to ten hospitals containing over 40,000 locally sourced items. The company’s ultimate goal is to deliver 70 hampers, one for each year, to 70 hospitals across the country. The contents of the hampers are shared among the unsung heroes working in the hospitals and can reach as many as 3,000 people, creating a major positive message for the sponsors. Secret Hamper widely promotes the initiative on social media and it frequently features on regional tv channels and in national and regional newspapers. Their efforts have been recognised by Small Business Britain. The company has raised more than £10,000 for local charities, since its creation in 2016.
Talking about her visit, Priti said: “I was very impressed to hear about what Secret Hamper are doing in regard to supporting the NHS’s unsung heroes and I wanted to hear more. It was also an opportunity to find out about the company’s other hamper products and how the business is progressing. It is often difficult to decide what to buy for some friends and colleagues at special occasions. Hampers are an ideal way of solving the problem as there is bound to be something inside that they like!”
Nigel Richardson, Managing Director of Secret Hamper said: “Priti’s interest in what we are doing is very much appreciated and we enjoyed briefing her about our NHS not-for-profit initiative and the company’s full product line. We are a growing business and having our local MP saying good things about us is a real bonus.”
Further information about Secret Hamper is available at www.secrethamper.com