Shopkeeper's Special Service is Recognised by Award
Southampton shopkeeper Kieron Patel is well-known for providing customer service, but now he has been officially recognised for his sterling services to charity. In a surprise presentation he received a prestigious award for his outstanding support of Wessex Heartbeat.
Kieron, who runs Avenue Grocers (Londis) in Townhill Park, along with his brother and business partner Kaz, has raised more than £8,000 for the charity over the years with collection tins in his Meggeson Avenue shop. In recognition of all the support he has given to the charity, Kieron has been presented with the "Cherida Anne Patchett Award", which is given to people who have made a significant contribution to the work of Wessex Heartbeat.
Cherida was a prolific fundraiser for the charity until her death in 2002, and the award was the idea of her daughter Jane, who felt that it would be a fitting tribute to the tireless contribution that her mother had made. Every January Wessex Heartbeat, which supports Southampton General Hospital's Wessex Cardiac Unit, presents the honour to one of their unsung heroes.
Kieron is the 7th recipient of the award and Jane Patchett was on hand to present it to him, along with Wessex Heartbeat's Chief Executive Officer, D'Arcy Myers. "We are delighted that Kieron is this year's beneficiary of the award. The superb support we receive from individuals like Kieron is crucial to the success of our work. This award helps us to say "Thank You" to one of the charity's VIPS," said D'Arcy.
Recipients of the award do not know beforehand, and Kieron thought that the visit from Wessex Heartbeat officials was a courtesy call to introduce him to a new member of the fundraising team.
"I was totally, but pleasantly, surprised. It is a charity which is very close to my heart. It is local; it is very worthwhile; and it benefits everybody - after all we all have a heart!", he said.
Three years ago his father, Ramanbhai Patel, died after suffering a massive heart attack, and at his funeral more than £500 was raised in donations for Wessex Heartbeat. "I have been a supporter of the charity for many years - probably from its inception. My customers put loose change into the tins and at the end of the day I put in some of the takings," said Kieron.
