Bourne business supplies food hampers and toys for Christmas

A construction firm is on a mission to ensure all sections of its community are able to enjoy a happy Christmas this year.

The JJMac offices in Bourne have resembled a small supermarket in recent weeks as they prepare to send out food hampers and toys to those who need a helping hand.

For managing director John Furlong and his team, the season of goodwill is not limited to December, with donations to good causes and charities made throughout the year totalling around £15,000.

His keen social conscience is motivated in part by reminders of his own upbringing.

“We come from very humble beginnings and we understand what it is like to go without so we try to do our bit as much as we can,” said John.

“We try to do it all year around, especially with the food banks and to help children.

“Cindy (Gough) organises everything and between us all we get it over the line.

“I start panicking from about August onwards about getting it right in time for Christmas.”

This year, they are supplying 26 food hampers for the Salvation Army and have sent them toys with a value of £500 to distribute.

Donations have also gone to Bourne’s Darby and Joan club to buy food hampers, and the Butterfield Centre to support their work with the local elderly community.

The business also supports children’s charity Little Miracles and Bourne Foodbank, and sponsors Bourne football and rugby clubs, as well as a range of annual town events.

“It’s nice to think both the young and the old are looked after,” John added. “It all started about 15 years ago when my wife and I decided to help the homeless in Peterborough.

“We don’t buy each other Christmas presents now, we give to local charity instead.

JJMac, a civil engineering, earthworks and groundworks contractor, set up in Bourne about eight years ago, having been based in Pointon, but John’s ties to the town go back almost three decades.

“Bourne has been good to me, my family and my business so it’s our way of putting a little something back into it,” he said.