Showing their metal: Scrap from Maritime Museum sold to aid charities

By Simon Bristow

Two charities have received donations totalling more £5,500 from the contractor transforming Hull Maritime Museum, thanks to spare scrap from the building.

Simpson (York) Limited have given the proceeds from the metal waste to Hull4Heroes and Mind Hull and East Yorkshire. The donations of £3,000 to Hull4Heroes and £2,500 to Mind Hull and East Yorkshire respectively, were made possible through the recycling and resale of scrap metal from the museum.

The company is currently nine months into a 20-month, £12m refurbishment of the museum as part of the Hull Maritime project.

The monies were raised by the reclamation of existing fixtures and fittings that were not part of the restoration process, and thus used for the good of local charities and to give back to the local community.

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “Converting scrap metal waste from the Maritime Museum into money for local charities and businesses is a great initiative by our heritage contractor, Simpson (York) Limited.

“The scheme benefits local communities, giving something back to those who do incredible work, offering vital support to those who need it.”

Kevin Batty, contracts manager at Simpson (York) Limited, said: “We are delighted to be able to be able to support the local community where we are currently working in Hull. Both these charities provide fantastic support to individuals within the Hull and East Riding area and need support from others to continue their amazing work.”

Paul Matson from Hull4Heroes, said: “Simpson (York) Limited gifted our charity £3,000, this will make a huge difference to veterans in the local area, the amount of funds we received was a great surprise and a very welcome relief. Without the generosity of local people and local companies we would struggle to survive. Thank you so much to all at Simpsons.”

Dan Warren, director of development at Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, said: ‘We were delighted to receive the generous donation from Simpson. As a local charity we are amazed by the generosity of our supporters, who provide us funds to help work with local people when they need it the most.

“We have seen a substantial increase in the number of people accessing our services and as such we continue to seek supporters to help us match that need.”

He added: “For Simpson (York) Limited to pick us to donate to, shows their commitment to making a difference to the wellbeing of people in Hull and East Yorkshire.”

Other elements of the Hull Maritime project include the restoration of two historic Hull ships - Spurn Lightship and Arctic Corsair, and the creation of a new visitor attraction and new home for the former trawler Arctic Corsair, at North End Shipyard.