Grantham businessman honours NHS key workers with bench
A bench to honour the NHS and its staff has been sculpted through a combined effort of local businesses.
The bench, made by Chris Kennedy, depicts key workers who are working on the frontline against the coronavirus. The bench reads: “Thank you to our amazing NHS staff. Thank you to all key workers.”
The construction of the bench was co-ordinated by Chris, of fabrication firm Roll and Scroll, with multiple local businesses coming together in a combined effort to create the tribute to the tireless efforts of NHS staff and other key workers during a global pandemic.
Arraquip Ltd, based at Withambrook Industrial Estate, provided the steel to create the bench, while Mascot Powder Coating in Caythorpe gave the bench its unmistakable blue colour.
Lincolnshire Processed Scrap Metal Recycling provided the brass plaque, and David Lyons, of Shift Brand & Design, made the striking graphics for the bench.
Chris put the bench together. He said: “I’ve made this bench to thank the amazing NHS staff for what they are doing at the moment and also all key workers helping with this crisis that we are going through at the moment.
“I was going to fund it out of my pocket, but other businesses have chipped in. I’ve just put the labour and the time into it.”
Chris has previously donated four benches to public spaces in Grantham. Most recently, he unveiled a new memorial bench commemorating the sacrifices made during the First World War at Wyndham Park in January 2019.
The brilliant bench-maker has similar plans for this bench, once the current lockdown is over. He added: “People need to see this bench. I’m hoping to get it on St Peter’s Hill with the other ones.”
Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the current lockdown, Chris was unable to confirm when the bench would be unveiled and where.
One potential option would be to put the bench in front of the Isaac Newton statue where there is currently a bench honouring the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Wherever the bench is placed, there will surely be a dedication service to unveil it, which will involve inviting representatives from the NHS, emergency services and other key workers, to celebrate their hard work in this time of crisis.
Anyone interested in buying a bench like this one can search for ‘Roll and Scroll’ on Facebook.
